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THE 

AMERICAN INSTRUCTER; 

CALCULATED TO SUCCEED THE 

ENGLISH AND OTHER SPELLING-BOOKS: 

CONTAINING 

A SELECTION 

OF THE PRINCIPAL PART OF THE WORDS IN COMMON USE, 
DIVIDED, ACCENTED, DEFINED, 

AND THEIR PRONUNCIATION ACCURATELY POINTED OUT. 

ADAPTED 

TO THE ORTHOGRAPHY AND PRONUNCIATION OF WALKER. 

INTERSPERSED WITH 

INSTRUCTIVE AND ENTERTAINING 

a&eafctufl 3Ltuntmn ; 

TO WHICH IS ADDED A COMPREHENSIVE ABRIDGEMENT OF 

ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

BY RENSSELAER BENTLEY, 

AUTHOR OF THE ENGLISH SPELLING-BOOK. 



* With boys, those things which tend most to nourish the genius, and 
to enlarge the mind, are proper to be read/ 1 Quintillian. 



FOURTH EDITION. 



PUBLISHED BY CLARK & HOSFORD. 



». ADAHCOVRT, PRINTER, 

1829. 




Southern District of New- York, ss. * £-* \ wV^ t 

Be it remembered, That on the eighth day of October 
A. D. 1824, in the forty-ninth year of the Independence 
of the United States of America, Rensselaer Bentlet 
of the said District, hath deposited in this office the title 
of a book the right whereof he claims as author and pro- 
prietor in the words following-, to wit : 
" The American instructor ; calculated to succeed the English and 
other Spelling-books ; containing a selection of the principal part of 
the words in common use, divided, accented, defined, and their pronun- 
ciation accurately pointed out. Adapted to the orthography and pro- 
nunciation of Walker. Interspersed with instructive and entertaining 
Reading Lessons : to which is added a comprehensive abridgment of 
English Grammar. By Rensselaer Bentley, author of the English 
Spelling-Book. " Witn boys, those things which tend most to nourish 
the genius, and to enlarge the mind, are proper to be read." Quin« 

TILLIAN. 

In conformity to the act of Congress of the United States, entitled 
'• An act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of 
- Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, 
during the time therein mentioned." And also to an act, entitled "An 
act supplementary to an act, entitled an act for the encouragement of 
Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the 
authors and proprietors of such copies, during the time therein men- 
tioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, en- 
graving, and etching historical and other prints." 

JAMES DILL, 
Clerk of the Soidhern District of New- York, 



To all persons to whom these presents shall come, Greeting : 
I CERTIFY" that Rensselaer Bentley has, this third day of Ja- 
nuary, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twen- 
ty-five, and of Independence the forty-ninth, deposited in the Office of 
the Department of State, a certain Book consisting of 238 pages, en- 
titled, 

" The American Instructer ; calculated to succeed the English and 
other Spelling-books ; containing a selection of the principal part of 
the words in common use, divided, accented, defined, and their pro- 
nunciation accurately pointed out. Adapted to the orthography and 
pronunciation of Walker. Interspersed with instructive and enter- 
taining Reading Lessons : to which is added a comprehensive abridg- 
ment of English Grammar. By Rensselaer Bentley, author of the 
English Spelling-Book. " With boys, those things which tend most to 
nourish the genius, and to enlarge the mind, are proper to be read." 
Quintillian. 

The copy-right whereof is claimed by Rensselaer Bentley, as au- 
thor and proprietor, under the provisions of" An act for the encour- 
agement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and 
Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the time 
therein mentioned," passed on the 31st day of May, A D. 1790, and 
of" An act supplementary to an act, entitled ' An act for the encour- 
agement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and 
Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the time 
therein mentioned, 1 and extending the benefits thereof, to the arts of 
designing, engraving, and etching, historical and other prints," passed 
<m the 29th of April, 1802. 

GIVEN under my hand, as the Secretary of the Depart- 
ment of State of the United States, with the Seal of the 
said Department affixed, at the City of Washington, tn* 
day and year first abore written. 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS 




RECOMMENDATIONS. 



The following is from John Van Ness Yates, Secretary of State , and acting 
Superintendent of Common Schools, 

Albany, Not. 10, 1824. 
I have examined with attention a work presented to me by Mr. Rens- 
selaer Bentley, entitled, " The American Instructer" — The plan is well 
calculated to* impress upon the youthful learner, not only the mode of 
spelling and pronouncing words, but also the meaning of them — I con- 
sider the Author entitled to praise, and that the work deserves patron- 
age and support, and will be useful as a school-book 

J. V.N.YATES. 



The following is from the Hon. Be Witt Clinton. 

After examining; " The American Instructer" written by Rensselaer 
Bentley, I have no hesitation in stating that the plan of this work is ju- 
dicious, and its execution able : and, as it comprises in a short com- 
pass, a Reading: book, a Grammar, and a Dictionary of the words 
commonly used in our language, I am of opinion that it is well calcu- 
lated to promote the objects of rudimental education, and that its in- 
troduction into our common schools, would be attended with great 
utility. DE WITT CLINTON. 

Albany, November 10, 1824. 

The following is an extract of a letter from Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell. 

New- York, 22d. March, 1825. " 

1 agree with the author entirely in the usefulness of a treatise which 
shaft succeed the speliing-book and precede the dictionary ; which 
shall give the meaning as well as the pronunciation of the words iu 
common use ; and which through a series of well selected lessons in 
reading, shall introduce the learner to a knowledge of grammar. It 
appears to me he has happily and judiciously executed his plan, and 
that his performance is capable of affording substantial aid to the bu- 
siness of elementary instruction. 

SAMUEL L. MITCHELL. 



Tfie following is from T. Romeyn Beck, Principal of Albany Academy. 

I consider the plan of Mr. Bentley 's book as very excellent, and have 
do doubt that its introduction into common schools will prove useful. 
Albany, Nov. 10, 1824. T. ROMEYN BECK. 

The following is from Henry K. Strong, principal of Pittsfeld Academy. 
i Pittsfeld, March 11, 1825. 

After having examined Mr. Bentley 's American Instructer presented 
to me, 1 cannot hesitate to give my unqualified approbation to a work 
go well calculated to succeed the spelling-book. Too long has the 
memory of children been called into exercise, while the understanding 
has been neglected, and thereby habits of inattention have been form- 
ed as barriers to future improvement. The Instructer is calculated 
to obviate this by aiding the understanding as well as memory. I 
*hall therefore give it my recommendation. & * 

HENRY K. STRONG. 



IV RECOMMENDATIONS. 

The following is from I. S. Spencer, Principal of Schenectady Academy* 
Dear Sir, 

T have examined the American Instructer, and I think it is the best 
work with which I am acquainted, to succeed the spelling books in 
common use. The memory of children is often called into active, and 
1 may say, unnecessary exercise, while their understanding is neglect- 
ed. " The Instructer" is well calculate^ to aid young- persons not only 
in learning to read, but what is more desirable, to understand. The 
words in the spelling sections are selected with judgement, and defined 
with admirable plainness and simplicity. I shall immediately recom- 
mend this work to the young Masters in the English department of this 
institution. Yours, &c. 

Schenectady Academy, Nov. 8, 1824. I. S. SPENCER. 



The following is from Amasa I. Parker, Principal of Hudson Academy, 
Sir — I have examined your American InstruSlerrw'ith which you have 
favoured me, and have no hesitation in recommending it to the pub- 
lick as a most important elementary work — the Reading Lessons are 
admirably selected, and the Spelling Sections well arranged. It is a 
work which has been long needed in our common schools, and will 
doubtless meet with universal patronage. Yours, &c. 

Hudson, Oct. 30, 1824. AMASA 1. PARKER. , 



The following is from Edwin Holmes, principal of Duchess Academy, 
Poughkeepsie. 

Sir, 

■I have examined with some attention the " American Instructer," 
and think it well calculated for the use of schools. The spelling col- 
umns are judiciously selected, and the words plainly defined. The 
reading lessons are full of useful information and virtuous sentiment, 
and will tend, at once, to enlighten the understanding and improve 
the heart. The abridgment of grammar is brief but comprehensive. 
Its language is peculiarly plain and simple. The plan of inserting fa- 
miliar sentences, as exercises in parsing, between the several portions 
of grammar, is a good one. Attention to these exercises will render 
one part of the rules of Etymology familiar to the pupil, before he ad 
vances to another. The fact that, we have in so cheap a book, a 
grammar, a dictionary, a reading and spelling-book, is well worthy 
<y{ attention. It will, I doubt not, receive a large share of publick pat- 
ronage. 

EDWIN HOLMES. 

Duchess Academy, Poughkeepsie, Nov. 29th, 1824. 



The following is from Ambrose L. Jordan, Esq. Recorder of the ciiy of 

Hudson. 

Upon an examination'of the book entitled " The American Instruc- 
ter by Mr. Rensselaer Bentley, I am fully persuaded that its general 
introduction into our common schools, would be of essential benefit as 
a convenient vocabulary, teaching at once the pronunciation and mean- 
ing of words in common use in our language ; as a condensed outline of 
the English Grammar ; and as a Reading Book containing specimens 
of fine style, replete with moral sentiment ; it appears to me entitled 
to the attention and patronage of American Instructers. 

A. L. JORDAN. 

Hudson, Nov. 11, 1824. 



RECOMMENDATIONS. V 

The following is from the Inspectors of Schools in the City of Hudson. 

Hudson, Oct. 28, 1824. 

The undersigned, Inspectors of Schools in the city of Hudson, have 
examined the American Instructer, published by R. Bentley, calculated 
to succeed the English and other Spelling Books, and are unanimous- 
ly of opinion that it is a valuable School Book. 

The Reading Lessons have been selected with taste and judgement, 
from the best authors on almost every subject connected with the hap- 
piness of man as an individual, a member of community, or a citizen 
of a free and flourishing country. 

In favour of the Spelling Sections too much cannot be said. This 
part of the work contains a selection of words used in conversation and 
writing with their definitions, adapted to Walker's orthography and 
pronunciation, having the advantages of a Dictionary with none of its 
disadvantages, as all obscene words are omitted. 

The Grammar is well calculated to facilitate the progress of pupils 
in that branch of education. 

Thus we have an excellent Reading Book, Dictionary and Gram- 
mar in one volume, for the trifling sum of fifty cents. 

The undersigned recommend the work to Parents and instructers, 
trusting that all who examine it attentively, will say with them, that 
Mr. Bentley has conferred a favour on the publick, and that his exer- 
tions are entitled to patronage. 



, HIRAM TAPPING, 
1st. Ward. 1 J. I. UNDERHILL, 

* ARCHIBALD DOAN. 



i EDWARD C. THURSTON, 
2d. Ward. 1 JOHN GAUL, 

( NICHOLAS TEN BROECK, 

The following is from the Troy* Sentinel, edited by O. L. Holley, Esq. 

One of the best devised school books that we have lately seen, is the 
"American Instructer." The idea of arranging the rudiments of the 
several branches of knowledge necessary to a correct and scientific!* 
understanding of the English Language, in one volume, and in their 
natural order, is a good one. A manual formed on this plan must be 
not only particularly convenient to the teacher, but seems peculiar- 
ly well calculated to facilitate to the pupil the acquisition of his rudi- 
ments, because it enables him, by the mere force of juxtaposition, to 
discern their mutual connexion more readily than if they were dispers- 
ed in different volumes. 

This principle of juxtaposition is very simple, but it is very impor- 
tant ; and in the business of education it has been too little regarded. 
Mr. Bentley has availed himself of it judiciously. He has arranged 
the different portions of his work in a discreet order ; the pupil ad- 
vances by natural and easy degrees ; and being under the necessity 
of frequently referring from one part to another, as he advances he 
discovers the reciprocal dependence of those parts more and more 
clearly, till the whole system is distinctly revealed 

On the score of economy, too, " The American Instructer," deserves 
consideration ; and for that reason, as well as for the sake of its in- 
trinsick merits, we feel warranted in recommending it to use in our 
country schools. 



The following is from Solomon Southwick, editor of the National Democrat, 
Mr. Bentley J s American Instructer having been submitted to my ex- 
amination, I do not hesitate to pronounce it one of the most useful 
works of the kind, and highly deserving the patronage of all who are 
either engaged or interested in the education of youth. 
-..Albany, Nov. 10, 1824. . - S. SOUTHWICK- ' 



VI RECOMMENDATIONS. 

The following Recommendations, are from gentlemen, whose reputation at 
publick Teachers in the cities of Albany and Troy, is of the first standing. 

Albany, Feb. 19, 1825. 
We who are engaged in the instruction of youth in the city of Alba- 
ny, baring attentively examined the American Instructer, recently 
published by Mr. Rensselaer Bentley, are fully convinced of the ju- 
dicious selections, able execution, and economical arrangement of the 
work, and do highly recommend the introduction of it in our element- 
ary schools, as it obviates the necessity of a cumbersome multiplicity 
of books by combining in one volume, the spelling and defining of 
words, instructive and practical reading exercises, with a comprehen- 
sive and explicit grammar of etymology and syntax. 
ISAAC MOTT, J. R. KIRB1T, 

JOSEPH P. MOTT, R. O. K. BENNET, 

J. H. DURHAM, BENJN. CAMPBELL, 

STEPHEN MOULTON, JAMES M. COLLINS, 

JAMES P. POWERS, E. P. PHELPS, 

P. F. PHELPS, JOSHUA BROOKS, 

ASAPH SYKES, * 1 attycw f Teacher in 

J. ALDfcN, J Greenbush 



Troy, Feb. 11th, 1826 
Mr. Bsntlbv, 
Sir — We have carefully examined the copies of the u American 
Instructer" lately left in our hands, and we, as those who are engaged 
In the business of instruction, are fully persuaded that it possesses 
merits, highly recommending it as a most important elementary work. 
We find that we can profitably use it as a reading book, a Dictionary, 
and a Grammar book ; and by introducing it into our schools, our 
shelves will be unloaded of two-thirds of their burden, which is now 
only cumbersome and expensive. We view it as replete with moral 
and useful instruction, and every way calculated to promote the best 
interests of the rising generation : as such we believe it strongly re- 
commends itself to the publick, and hope it will, in time, find its way 
Into all our common schools. 

EDWARD WILSON, 
Teacher of the Lancasterian School, Troy, 
DAVID BROWN, 
EBENR. NILES, 
, JAS. B. HOUGHTALING, 
i ALANSON BILLS, 
JONAS WICKES, 
JOSEPH G. ROGERS. 



Tkt following it from Thomas M. Brewer, Teacher of the Lancasterian 
School, Poughkeepsie. 

Poughkeepsie, Nov. 29, 1824. 
I have examined with much interest and pleasure The American In- 
structer. The plan of the book is a well conceived one, and the ex- 
ecution is happy. The spellings with the definitions are well arrang- 
ed : the definitions are concise and clear. The reading lessons are 
excellent; combining the purest moral and religious instructions, wit* 
attractive entertainment. Of the grammatical part I can only say, 
ttie plan is good, but the execution I have not had time to examine* 
The book I shall immediately adopt into my school, as far as practica 
We, THOMAS* M. BREWER./ 



The education of youth is the source from which every 
community receives, in a great measure, its social organiza- 
tion : it is the principal object which promotes the happi- 
ness and prosperity of every nation : therefore, every attempt 
to assist the rising generation in* the acquisition of useful 
knowledge, may be considered a laudable ^undertaking. — - 
How far I have succeeded in the attempt, remains for a ju- 
dicious publick to determine. 

Although there are many valuable school books already 
in use, designed to initiate children into the first principles 
of our language : yet, from experience in teaching, I am sen- 
sible of the great utility that would arise from our youth's 
being early instructed in the definition of words, as well as 
in their right pronunciation. Therefore, the design of the 
present work is, to furnish schools wich a book calculated to 
succeed the Spelling Books ; composed of a selection of the 
principal part of the words made use of in common conver- 
sation and writing, with their pronunciation accurately 
pointed out, the part of speech annexed, and the definition 
given in plain, simple terms ; interspersed with a variety of 
appropriate reading lessons, adapted to the capacity of youth ; 
to which is added an abridgment of English Grammar. 

It is absolutely necessary that children should early be* 
come acquainted with the definition of those words which 
they are to make use of through life ; and as no means have 
been devised for the attainment of this most necessary 
branch of instruction,, except the columns of a Dictionary, 
an attempt has been made to obviate this great difficulty, 
and to fill up the hiatus between the Spelling Book and the 
Dictionary. Objections are frequently made by parents and 
guardians, against purchasing Dictionaries for their children \ 
arising from their price, and from their containing mmy 
immodest and obscene words, which are apt to taint iht* 
minds of youth. 

Many of our school-boys that pass for good readers, know 
but little about the meaning of the words they make use o£ 



VIII PREFACE. 

or the sense of the writer. Children labour under a grea> 
disadvantage while pursuing the common course of study \ 
in which they often form Very erroneous ideas of the defini- 
tion of many xvords, by not having a suitable book to refer 
to; and when once they have formed a wrong idea of words, 
it is difficult to make them sensible of their errour. I hope 
that Parents and Instructers will consider this subject well, 
and decide whether it would not be better for the scholar to 
become acquainted with those words which are mostly used, 
as soon as he shall be able to comprehend their meaning. 
While he is engaged in studying the definition of words, he 
is at the same time improving himself in reading, which ren- 
ders the study more important, as he is receiving informa- 
tion in two different ways at the same time. 

All that is generally thought necessary to be comprehen- 
ded in teaching children to read, is, a correct pronunciation 
of the words made use of in reading, with due attention to 
emphasis and cadence, together" with suitable modulation^ 
of the voice. But the faculties of speech, with the finest mod 
illations of the voice, are of but little use without understand- 
ing. It is of great importance in teaching children to read, 
to teach them to understand what they read: and in order 
to understand what they read, they must become acquaint- 
ed with the definition of the words they make use of in read- 
ing. In consequence of their not understanding the defini- 
tion of words, their books become a task to them; they con- 
tract a dislike to reading; and deriving neither information 
nor satisfaction from their books, they fall into habits of 
carelessness and inattention, which perhaps they may never 
have the fortitude to overcome through life. But if their 
minds are excited to inquiries after the meaning of words, to 
the exercises of reflection, to the fixing of the attention, and 
to the cultivation of the memory, they will arrive to an un- 
derstanding of many ideas of the writer, which otherwise 
would have been wholly lost to them. These impressions 
once made upon the tender mind, will be durable ; they will 
grow with their growth, and increase with their years. 

Particular care has been taken to select such pieces for 
reading, as are adapted to the understanding, and pleasing 
to the taste of youth ; and at the same time calculated to in- 
stil into their tender minds, moral and virtuous sentiments. 
Nothing has been intentionally admitted, but what was 
thought consistent with the purity of morality and religion, 



PREFACE. IX 

und calculated to impress upon the juvenile mind, the love 
of piety and virtue, and to form a taste for reading. 

The great importance of early instructing youth in the 
principles on which our language is constructed, has been an 
inducement to add to the present work an abridgment of 
English Grammar. Our Grammars, in general, are so vo- 
luminous, so much is offered at the first view, that it often 
dogs the mind of the young pupil ; and instead of becoming 
a pleasing and interesting study, it often becomes a dry and 
disagreeable one. Grammar is generally considered as a 
laborious and irksome task ; children frequently labour year 
after year without making much progress ; while the whole 
blame is to be attributed to the unskilful method of instruc- 
tion. Yet, by taking it up in a natural and simple manner, 
and gradually developing its difficulties and intricacies, it 
may be so arranged, as to become a pleasing study. The . 
present work is stripped of every thing but what is consider- 
ed essential ; the definitions of the different parts of speecli 
are interspersed with easy parsing lessons, with the applica- 
tion of the rules of Syntax, which renders the study at once 
easy and inviting. It contains matter sufficient to give the 
pupil a good knowledge of Etymology and Syntax ; and the 
arrangement, explanations, and specimens of parsing, are 
such as will, w T ith a little application, enable him to parse 
the English Language with accuracy. 

Having illustrated the views which enticed me to the 
^present undertaking, I cheerfully submit the following work 
to the candour and discernment of an enlightened commu- 
nity. If, upon examination, it should be found to contain 
any improvements by which the understanding and faculties 
of youth may be more effectually called forth into operation. 
my utmost wish will be gratified. R, B „ 



SOME DIRECTIONS 
FOR USING THE FOLLOWING WORK, 

The pupil, in the first place, should be made acquainted 
with the key to the pronunciation of the words in the spel- 
ling sections ; likewise with the rules and observations for 
assisting scholars to read with propriety. He should then 
proceed in spelling or pronouncing the words, and reading 
their definition, together with the reading sections, as they 
are arranged. 

The Teacher should frequently exercise his pupils in giv- 
ing the definition of words ; allowing them time to study the 
lesson, after which he should put out the words, and they 
should spell them and give their definition. By exercising 
them in this manner, they will soon become acquainted with 
the meaning of the principal part of the words they are to 
make use of through life. 

After the pupil has sufficiently studied this part of the 
work, it will be necessary for him to commence the study 
of grammar, which next occurs. While pursuing the study 
of grammar, this book will serve him instead of a dictionary, 
to ascertain the different parts of speech, and the definition 
of words ; as about all the words made use of in common 
writing are inserted in it. Thus, the present work wil 
serve as a reading book, and a grammar, and instead of a 
dictionary* 



DIRECTIONS 

FOR THE PRONUNCIATION OF WORDS IN THE SPELLING SEC- 
TIONS OP THE FOLLOWING WORK. 

A TAB1E 

Representing the different sounds of the simple and diphthong' 
al vowels referred to by the figures in the following work. 

Figure 1 represents 

the long sound of 0, as in late, ta-per ; 

1 1 
the long sdurid of e or ee } as in me, meet ; 

1 1 

the long sound of z, as in bile, bi-ble ; 

1 1 « 

the long sound of o or oo } as in dote, door ; 

1 l 

the long sound of u or ew y as in mute, mewl ; 

1 1 

the long sound of y, as in style, ty-rant. 

Figure 2 represents 

2 2 

the short sound of a, as in mat, mar-ry ; 

2 2 

the short sound of e, as in bet, bet-ter ; 

2 2 

the short sound of ?, as in pin, tit-tie ; 

2 2 

the short sound of u } as in cup, but-ter ; 

2 2 
the short sound of y, as in hymn, sys-tem. 

Figure 3 represents 

3 S 
the long sound of broad a, as in wall, wa-ter 

3 
the long sound of broad a made by aw, as in law ; 

3 
the long sound of broad a made by 0, as in corn. 

Figure 4 represents 
4 4 

the flat sound of a, as in farm, mar-ket. 



J 2 THE AMERICAN INSTItUCTER. 

Figure 5 represents 

6-6 
the short sound of broad a, as in wad, wal-let ; 

5 5 
the short sound of broad 0, as in not, mod-era. 

Figure 6 represents \ 
6 6 

the sound of oo proper, as in noon, gloom-y ; 

6 
the sound of oo proper made by 0, as in prove ; 

6 
the sound of 00 proper made by w, as in rule 

Figure 7 represents 
7 7 

the sound of 00 short, as in hood, wool-ly ; 

7 
the sound of 00 short made by 0, as in wolf ; 

7 
the sound of 00 short made by u, as in full. 

Figure 8 represents 

8 
the sound of u short made by e, as in her ; 

8 
the sound of u short made by i, as 10 dirt ; 

8 
the sound of u short made by 0, as in love ; 

8 
the sound of u short made by 00, as in flood. 

Figure 9 represents 

9 9 
the sound of a long made by e, as in tete, rein. 

\ Figure 10 represents 

10 10 
the sound of e long made by *, as in shire, pique* 

The diphthongs oi and oy represent 

8 2 oi cy 

the long broad 0, and the short i, as in boil, cloy. 

The diphthongs on and ow represent 

3 7 oh on 

the long broad 0, and the short 00, as in pound, brow. 

Silent letters are distinguished by being printed in Italick 
characters ; as in nigh, wrap, &nave, dead, &c. 

S y when printed in Italick, has the sound of %\ as in xqs% 
pronounced reze. 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER. 13 

r €r has its hard sound at the end of words, and before a, o, u, I, and r ; and 
its soft sound like J* before e, i, and y ; unless otherwise defined. 

In the combinations "ion, ien, ian, ier, iar, ious, iour, ium ; ial ; &c. i has 
the sound of y; unless otherwise denned. N 

When i } and y, end an unaccented syllable, they are generally pronounced 
like long e ; as in neg'li-gent, IWer-ty, pronounced neg'le-gent, lib'er-te, &e. 
except when y is preceded by/, in which case it has its long sound 5 as in 
jus'ti-fy, pronounced jus^e-fi. 

JVhas the sound of ng when it ends an accented syllable and is followed by 
k, q, c ox g hard, and likewise when followed by k in the same syllable 3 thus, 
an'ger, can'ker, thank, are pronounced ang ger, kang'ker, thangk, &c. 

X has the sound of ks, except when followed by an accented syllable be- 
ginning with a vowel or with h, in which it has the sound of gz ; (unless 
otherwise defined j) thus, exact is pronounced egzact. 

W, when followed by h in the same syllable, is pronounced after it 3 thus, 
whale is pronounced hwale, &c. 

C has its hard sound like k at the end of syllables and words, and before 
a, o, u, h, I, r, and t ; and its soft sound like s before e, i, and y ; unless 
otherwise denned. 

Ch, when immediately preceded by I or n in the same syllable, has the 
sound ofsh; unless otherwise defined. 

The different sounds of th are represented thus 3 the first or sharp sound, 
as in " think„ thin, hath," &c. the second or flat sound, as in " THe, THat, 
THine," &c. 

Aw and au when printed in Roman characters, have the sound of broad a 
long 3 as in law, haul. 

Ew has the sound oft* long 3 as in hew, mew. 

Gh has the sound of/*, unless otherwise defined. 

JPh has the sound of f, unless otherwise defined. 

Le at the end of syllables and words, printed in Roman characters, has the 
sound of a weak el, or I only 3 thus, ta'ble is pronounced ta'bl, &c. 

jR'eatthe end of words, has the short sound of ur3 thus, fi'bre is pronounc- 
ed fl'bur, &c. 

When e, in the termination age, is printed in Italick, the preceding a Has 
the sound of short i ; as in village, pronounced viWid^&c. unless otherwise 
defined. • ^ 

When e terminates a syllable, where thj? preceding vowel sound in the 
same syllable is long, it is printed in a Roman character, as in " late^ shire, 
there 5" in other terminations it is printed in Italick. 

The combinations tion, and sion, are* pronounced like shun : tious, cious, 
eeoits, and scious, like shus : cial, and iial, like shal : dan, like shan : 
science, and tience, like shens : tient, cient, and sient, like shent. 

In the Spelling Sections of the following work, the letters have their na- 
tural sound, unless otherwise defined 3 le, ck, bb, dd, ee, 00, 11, ff ? ss, &c.' 
are all printed in Roman characters, although one letter would be suffi- 
cient to express the sound. 

Such words as are irregular, and not easily pronounced by their customary 
letters, are written the second time with such lettersasgive the right sound 5 
or their pronunciation defined in some other way. 

In order to give a correct pronunciation to the words, they are divided as 
they are pronounced in the New- York stereotype edition of Walker's Dic- 
tionary.* — Mr. Walker, in speaking of the division of words into syllables, 
observes, that " Dr. LowthVrule is certainly to be followed," which is, " The 
best and easiest rule, for dividing the syllables in spelling, is, to divide them 
as they are naturally divided in a right pronunciation, without regard to the 
derivation of words, or the possible combination of consonants, at the begin- 
ning of a syllable." 

* Some words, wher^Ahe letters have vicarious sounds, are differently di- 
vided j as previous, am-bi'tion, pronounced prfcBh'us, am-blsh'un, &c/ihi§ 
bejng the mo#t natural, and cufctonaary division. d 



14 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

General Rules and Observations, for assisting Schol~ 
ars to Read with Propriety. 

The art of reading, is that system of Tides, which teaches 
us to pronounce written composition with justness, energy, 
variety, and ease. 

These rules consist, principally, in the modulation of the 
voice, comprising accent) emphasis, cadence, pauses, and 
inflection. 

Accent is a greater force or stress of voice on one sylla- 
ble of a word than another, that it may be better heard than 
the rest, or distinguished from them. The accented sylla- 
bles should be pronounced with a forcible stress of voice ; 
the unaccented, with less stress, but distinctly. 

Emphasis is a particular force of the voice, by which we 
distinguish the most important word or words in a sentence. 
The words which are emphatical, are opposed to, or con- 
trasted with some other words either expressed or under- 
stood ; as in the following passage ; 

" 'Tis hard to say, if greater want of skill 

Appear in writing, or in judging ill : 

But of the two, less dangerous is the offence 

To tire our patience, than mislead our sense. 71 

In this passage, the words in Itaiicks are emphatical. In 
the second line, judging is opposed to writing ; in the fourth, 
mislead is opposed to tire, and sense to patience.* 

Cadence is a«fall or degression of the voice, and general- 
ly takes place at the close if a sentence. 

Pauses are marks of silence, usedjn punctuation. 

Punctuation is the art of dividing a written composition 
into sentences or parts of sentences, by points or stops, for 
the purpose of marking the different pauses which the 
sense requires. 

Inflections are those slides of the voice either upward 
or downward, which, in a great measure, constitute the har- 
mony of pronunciation. 

• The rising inflection is that upward turn of the voice we 
generally use at the comma, or in asking a question begin- 
ning with a verb ; as, No, say you ; did he say. No ? 
. The falling inflection is generally use<J at tne semicolon, 
colon and period $ and must necessarily be heard in an- 
swer to the former question, He did ; He said No. 

* To lay the emphasis with exact p.opriety, Uka constant exercise 
of good sense and attention. Care should be taken not to use em- 
phatical words too often ; it is only a prudent u« of them that wilt 
produce their proper effect. , — ^ - " - 



THE AMERICAN 1NSTRUCTER. 15 

SECTION I. 

Observations on rash judgement. 

We generally judge of persons and things as they ei- 
ther oppose or gratify our private views and inclina- 
tions ; and being blinded by the impetuous motions of 
self-love, we are easily led from the judgement of truth. 

We must not believe every word we hear, nor trust 
the suggestions of every thought; but consider and ex- 
amine all things with patience and attention ; for so 
great is human frailty, that we are more ready to be- 
lieve and speak evil of one another, than good. 

But a virtuous man is not forward to give too much 
credit to the reports of others ; because, being sensible 
of the darkness and malignity of human nature, he 
knows that it is prone to evil, and apt to pervert truth 
in the use of speech. 

It is an evidence of true wisdom, not to be hasty in 
our actions, nor obstinate in our opinions ; and not to 
give credit to every word that is spoken, nor immedi- 
ately to communicate to others what we have heard, or 
x even what we believe. 

In cases of perplexity and doubt, consult a wise and 
prudent man ; and choose rather to be guided by the 
counsel of one wiser than thyself, than to follow the 
suggestions of thy own will. 

Keep thy eye turned inwardly upon thyself, and be- 
ware of judging the actions of others. In judging oth- 
ers, a person labours to no purpose ; commonly errs, 
and frequently sins : but in examining and judging him- 
self, he is always wisely and usefully employed. 

If virtue alone was the pure object of all our inten- 
tions and desires, we should not be troubled when the 
truth of things happens to be repugnant to our own 
sentiments and opinions : but now we are continually 
drawn aside from truth and peace, by some partial in- 
clination lurking within, or some apparent good or evil 
rising without. 

Frnm thp diversity of inclinations and opinions ad- 



1(5 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

hered to, arise dissensions among friends and country- 
men ; nay, even among the professors of a religious 
and holy life. 

It is difficult to extirpate that which custom has deep- 
ly rooted ; and no man is willing to be carried farther 
than his own inclinations and opinions lead him- 

Strong prejudice is relieved by learning to distin- 
guish things well, and not to judge in the lump. There 
is scarcely any thing in the world, of nature or art. 
morality or religion, that is perfectly uniform. 

There is a mixture of wisdom and folly, vice and 
virtue, good and evil, both in men and things. We 
should remember that some persons have great evil, and 
little judgement ; others are judicious, but not witty. 

Some are good humoured without complaisance, 
others have all the formalities of complaisance, but no 
good humour. One man may be vicious and learned, 
while another has virtue without learning. ' ,« 

Many a man thinks admirably well, who has a poor 
utterance: while others have a charming manner of 
speech, but their thoughts are trifling and impertinent. 

Some are good neighbours, courteous and charitable 
towards men, who have no piety towards God ; others 
are truly religious, but of morose natural tempers. 
Some excellent sayings are found in very silly books, 
and some silly thoughts appear in books of real value. 

We should neither praise nor dispraise by wholesale ; 
separate the good from the evil, and judge of them 
apart : the accuracy of a good judgement consists much 
in making such distinctions. 



Charity* 
The charitable man has a favourable opinion of men 
and their actions : he assists the poor ; he comforts the 
aifficted ; he protects those that are oppressed ; he re- 
conciles differences, and promotes peace and good will 
among men. From the fountain of his heart rise rivers 
of goodness, and the streams overflow for the benefit of 
mankind. 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED. 



17 



SECTION II. 

Monosyllables *} in which the sounds of the vowels are accu* 
rately pointed out by the figures, and the silent letters dis- 
tinguished by being printed in Italick characters. 

In the spelling sections of the following work, the words consisting 
of the same number of syllables, are classed together. First, those ot 
one syllable are inserted : Secondly, those of two; Thirdly, those of 
three ; and so on through the whole work. 

The words are iikewise arranged in Alphabetical order : that is, aL 
the words in the monosyllables that are governed by figure 1, are placed 
in alphabetical order from the beginning of this section, onward, until 
another figure occurs. Those governed by figure 2, are placed under 2 
in like manner ; and so on through all the spelling sections of this work. 

The Abbreviations denoting the parts of speech explained. 



ar f stands for Article ; 
-a r for Adjective ; 

», for Noun ; 

pro, for Pronoun ; 

v, for Verb ; 

1 

Ache, v. to be in pain 
Aid ? v, to help, to assist 
Air, »> the element in which 

we breathe 
Bane, n. poison, mischief,ruin 
BaTHe, v, to wash in water 
Beak, n* the bill of a bird 
Beam, n. a main timber; part 

of a balance ; ray of light 
Beast, n. an irrational animal 
Beef, n. the flesh of cattle 
Bind, v. to confine, fasten 
Bite, v. to crush with the teeth 
Blade, n. spire of grass ; the 

sharp part of a weapon 
Blame, v. to censure 
Blaze, n. a flame ; v. to flame 
Bleach, v. to whiten 
Bleed, v. to lose or let blood 
Blind, a. without sight, dark 
Bloat, v y to swell, to puff up 
Board, w.a thin piece of wood 
Boast, v., to brag, magnify 
Brain, n. a soft substance 

within the skull, the seat of 

sensation and intellect 



for Participle ; 
for Adverb ; 
for Preposition ; 
for Conjunction ; 
for Interjection. 



pa, 

ad, 

pr, 

conj, 

int, 

1 

Bold, a. daring, confident 
Brave, a. courageous, gallant 
Break, v. to part by force ; to 

tame 
Breeze, n. a gentle wind 
Bribe, n. a reward given to 

pervert judgement ; v. to 

give bribes 
Bright, a. shining, clear 
Brine, n. salt pickle, the sea 
Cage, n, a place of confine- 
ment 
Cake, w. a kind of delicate 

bread 
Cape, n. headland ; part of a 

coat 
Care, n. caution, anxiety 
Case, n. a covering, sheath, 

outer part of a thing 
Cave, ra.a cavern, den, hollow 
Cease, v.to stop, be at an end 
Chair, n. a moveable seat 
Chain, n. a line of links; v. to 

fasten with a chain 
Chaise, [shaze] n. a carriage 
Change, v. to alter, to mend 
2* 



18 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Chase, v. to hunt, to pursue ; 

». a pursuit 
Chaste, a. undefiled, pure 
Cheap, a. at a low price 
Cheat, v. to defraud ; n. a 

fraud, trick 
Cheek, n. side of the face 
Cheer, v. to comfort, to incite 
Cheese, n. food made of milk 
Chide, v. to reprove, blame 
Chief, a. principal, capital ; 
n. a leader, a commander 
Child, n. an infant, an off- 
spring 
Choke, into suffocate, stop up, 

hinder, suppress 
Claim, ??,. a demand, title ; v. 

to demand of right 
Clay, 7i. a sort of earth 
C^ean,a. free from dirt, neat, 

elegant 
Clear, a. bright, transparent, 

free from mixture, pure 
Cleave, v. to divide, to split 
Clim6, v. to ascend 
Close, v. to shut, to finish, to 
join [ure 

Coach, n. a carriage of pleas- 
Coat, n. the upper garment 
Coax, v. to flatter, entice 
Code, n. a book of the civil 

law 
Cold, a. not hot, frigid 
Colt, n. a young horse 
Cream, n. the oily part of 

milk 
Creed, n. a confession of faith 
Creep, v. to move slowly, to 
loiter, [fault 

Crime, n. an offence, great 
Cube, n. a square solid body 
Cure, v. to heal, to restore to 
health 



Deed, n. an action ; written 

evidence 
Dire, a. dreadful, dismal 
Dive, v. to go under water 
Door, w. gate of a house, pas- 
sage 
Doze, v to slumber, to stupify 
Dram, v. to empty, to make 
dry [duck 

Drake, n. the male of the 
Dream, n. thoughts in sleep 
Drive, v, to force, urge, guide 
Dry, a. having no moisture 
Ear, n. the organ of hearing ; 

spike of corn 
Ease, ik to free from pain; n+ 

quietness 

Eat, v. to derour with the 

mouth, to consume [face 

Face, n. the visage, front,sur- 

Fade, v. to lose colour, to 

wither 
Fail, v. to be deficient ; to 
omit ; to break in business 
Faith, n. belief, fidelity 
Fame, n. renown, reputation 
Fate, n. destiny, event 
Fear, n. dread, awe, anxiety ; 

v. to dread 
Feast, n. a sumptuous meal 
Feat, n. an action, exploit 
Feed, v. to supply with food 
Few, a. not many 
Fiend, n. an enemy, infernal 

being 
Fierce, a. violent, furious 
Fife, n. a small pipe or wind 

instrument of musick 
Fight, v. to contend in battle 
Find, v. to obtain by search- 
ing, discover 
Flail, n. an instrument to 
thrash with 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



19 



Flame, «. a blaze, a stream of 

fire ; v. to blaze 
Fire, n. the element that burns 
Fleam, n. an instrument to 
bleed cattle [sheep 

Fleece, n. the wool of one 
Fleet, n. a number of ships in 

company 
Float, v. to swim on the water 
Floor, n. the bottom of a room 
Flow?, v. to run, to overflow 
Flue, n. pipe of a chimney ; 

soft down or fur 
Flute, n. a musical pipe 
Fly, n. an insect 
Foam, w. froth, spume 
Foe, n. an enemy, opponent 
Fold, n. a pen for sheep ; v. 

to double up 
FoZks, #. people, mankind 
Force, n. violence, strength 
Fort, n. a fortified place, for- 
tification 
Frail, a. liable to errour, weak 
Frame, n. a case, form, order 
Fray, n. a quarrel, battle, broil 
Free, v. to set at liberty ; a. 

liberal 
Freeze, v. to congeal by cold 
Fright, v. to terrify, to daunt 
Fume, n. vapour, smoke, pas- 
sion 
Gam, «. profit, benefit ; v. to 

obtain, to win 
Gale, n. a blast of wind 
Game, n. a play, sport 
Gate, w. a large door, an en- 
trance 
Ga?fge,ra. a measure, a standi 
ard ; v. to measure the con- 
tents of a vessel 
Gay, a. ^airy, merry, fine, 
showy 



1 
Gaze, v. to look earnestly 
GAost, n. a spirit, an appari- 
tion 
Gleorn, n. a sudden shoot of 

light 
Glee, n. joy, mirth, merrimenl 
Glide, v. to flow gently 
Globe, w.a round body, sphere 
Glue, n. a strong cement used 

to join substances 
Go,*?, to walk, move, proceed 
Goad, n. a stick used to drive 

oxen 
Gold, w. the most valuable of 

all metals, money 
Grace, n. favour, virtue, par- 
don, beauty, ornament 
Grain, n. corn ; the seed of 

fruit; a small particle 
Grave, n. a place for the dead; 

a. sober, solemn 
Gray, a. white mixed with 

black 
Graze,!?, to eat grass; to touch 

lightly 
Grease, ?i.Jat, the soft part of 

fat 
Green, a. unripe ; not dry ; 
n. a colour ; a grassy plain 
Greet, v. to salute, address 
Grief, ti. sorrow, trouble 
Grieve, v. to mourn, to lament 
Gripe, v. to hold fast, squeeze 
Grove, n. a small wood, a 

walk shaded by trees 
Grow,*?, to vegetate,, to in- 
* crease [crease 

Growth, ?i, vegetation, in- 
Gwide, v. to direct, to conduct 
G&ile, ?2» deceit, fraud 
Haste, n. hurry, speed,passion 
Hate, v. to detest, abhor, dis- 
like 



20 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Hay, n. grass dried for fodder 
Heap, n. a pile,crowd, cluster 
Heat, n. warmth, passion ; v. 
to make hot [tion 

Heed, n. care, caution, atten- 
Hei^/it, to* extension upwards, 

utmost degree 
Hide, v. to conceal, lie hid ; 

n. the skin of an animal 
High, a. tall, lofty 
Hive^ n. a place for bees 
Hoarse, a. having a rough 

voice, rough, harsh 
Hoe, n. an instrument used to- 
cut up earth 
Hole, 71. a hollow place, cavity 
Home, n. a place of constant 

residence 
Hope ? w.a desire of some good 
Host, n. a landlord, master ; 
an army, any great number 
Huge, a. vast, immense 
Ice, n. frozen water 
Ire, n. anger, rage^ wrath 
Jail, n. a prison, place of con- 
finement [mock 
Jeer, v. to, scoff, to make 
Joke, n. a jest ; v. to jest, to 

be merry 
Juice, ?i. sap in vegetables : 

fluid in animals 
June, w. the sixth month of 

the year 
Keel, n. the bottom of a ship 
Keen, a. sharp, eager 
Keep, v, to retain, preserve 
Key, n. an instrument to open 

a lock ; a tone in musick 
Kind, a. benevolent, good 
Kite, n. a bird of prey ; a fic- 
titious bird made of paper 
.Kneel, v. to bend the knee, 
to rejt on the knee ,^ 



Ifnife, n. a steel utensil to cut 

with 
Kno?v> v. to understand ; X® 

perceive with certainty 
Lake, w. a large inland water 
Lame, a. crippled j v . to cripr 

pie 
Lane, n. a narrow street 
La?/, v. to put, to place 
Lead, v. to guide, to conduct 
Leaf, n. part of a tree, book, 

table, &c. 
League, ?i. a confederacy ; a 

measure of three miles 
Leak, v. to drop, run out 
Lean, v. to rest against, to 

bend; a. meager, thin, poor 
Leap, v. to jump, to bound ; 

n. a jump 
Lease, m. a temporary con- 
tract for land 
Least, a. the smallest 
Leave, v. to quit, forsake ; n. 

permission,liberty, farewell 
Lee, n. the side opposite to 

the wind 
Lees, n. dregs ? sediment 
Life, n. the present state of 

existence 
Light, 7i. that by which we 

see ; a. not heavy ; v. to 

kindle, to inflame 
Like, v. to be pleased with* ; 

a. resembling 
Lime, n. a viscid substance of 

which mortar is made ; a 

species of lemon 
Line, n. a string ; a mark 
Lo, int. look ! see ! behold ! 
Load, n. a burden, a freight ; 

v. to burden ; to charge a 

gun 
Loaf, n. a mass of bread 



THE AxMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



21 



LoaTHe, v. to hate, abhor 
Lone, a. single, without com- 
pany 
Low, a. not high ; weak ; 

mean 
Mail, n. armour ; a bag of 
post-letters [cripple 

Maim, v. to hurt, wound, 
Main, a. chief, principal 
Maize, n. Indian corn 
Make, v. to create, to form 
Mane, n. the hair on the neck 

of a horse 
Mare, n, the female of the 

horse kind 
Mate, n. a companion ; sec- 
ond in command 
May, n. the fifth month of the 

year ; v. to be permitted 
Mead, n. a drink made of 

honey and water 
Meal, n. the edible part of 

corn ; a repast 
Mean, a. base, low ; n. medi- 
um, method ; v. to intend 
Meat, n. flesh to be eaten 
Meek, a. mild of temper, 

humble, gentle 
Meet, v. to join, to come to- 
gether 
Wight, n. power, strength 
Mild, a. kind, tender [rods 
Mile, n. the distance of 320 
•Mind, n. intelligent power, 
opinion ; v. to mark, regard 
Mine, n. a place that contains 
minerals ; pro. belonging, 
to me 
Mire, n. mud, wet dirt 
Mite, w. a small particle; a 

very small. insect 
Moan, v. to lament, grieve 
Mnde, n, form, fashion^ 



Mole, n? a natural spot ; a 

small animal 
Mope, v. to be stupid 
More, a. a greater number or 

quantity 
Most, a. greatest in number 
or quantity [of matter 

Mote, n. a very small particle 
Mowrn, v. to grieve, lament 
Mow, v.'to cut with a scythe 
Muse, n. deep thought^; the 
power of poetry ; v% to pon- 
der, to study 
Mute, n. a letter without a 

sound ; a. silent, dumb 
Nail, n. an iron spike ; the 
horny substance at the ends 
of the fingers and toes 
Name, n. an appellation, title-; 
v. to give a name ; to men- 
tion by name 
Nay, ad. no, b} r no means 
Neat, a. elegant, clean, pure 
New, a. fresh, modern, late 
News, n. fresh accounts of 

transactions 
Niece, n. the daughter of a 
brother or sister [sunrise 
Night, n. time from sunset to 
No, ad. a word of denial 
Nose, n. part of the face 
Oak, n. the name of a tree 
Oar, n. an instrument to row 

with 
Oath,??, a solemn or profane 
appeal to the Divine Being 
Oats, n. a species of grain 
Old, a. not new, ancient t 
Ore, 7i. metal unrefined 
Page, n. one side of a leaf 
Pail, n. a wooden vessel 
Pain, n. sensation of uneasi* 
ness ; penalty 



22 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCT 



Pair, n. a couple, two things 

suiting one another 
Pale, a. faint of lustre, whitish 
Pane, ft. a square of glass 
Pare, v. to cut off the surface 
Pate, ft. the head 
Pave, v. to lay with stones or 

brick 
Pay, 77. to discharge a debt ; 

ft. wages 
Peace, ft. rest, quietness ; re- 
spite from war [sounds 
Peal, n. a succession of loud 
Pear, n. a kind of fruit 
Peel, v. to pare, to take the 

rind off 
Peer, ft. a nobleman ; an equal 
Pew, ft. a seat enclosed in a 

church 
Piece, ft. a part,a composition 
Pier, ft. the column or sup- 
port of an arch ; a wharf or 
mound in a river or sea 
Pierce, v. to penetrate, enter 
Pile,«. aheap; piece of wood 
Pine, n. a tree ; 77. to languish 
Pint, ft. half a quart 
Pipe, w. a tubr J an instrument 
ofmusick; two hogsheads 
Place, ft. locality ; residence ; 

rank; v. to rank, fix 
Plagwe, n. pestilence ; v. to 

trouble, vex 
Plate, ft. a dish to eat on ; 

wrought silver 
Play, v. to sport, to frolick ; 

ft. recreation ; a drama 
Plea, ft. form of pleading ; ex- 
cuse 
Plead, #. to argue, defend 
Please, v. to delight, gratify 
Pole, ft. a long staff 5 a mea- 
sure of 5 \ yards 



Poll, ft. the head ; a list of 

voters at an election 
Porch, n. a portico, a covered 
walk [ration 

Pore, ft. a passage of perspi- 
Pork, n. swine's flesh [wine 
Port, ft. a harbour ; kind of 
Post, ft. a piece of timber; a 

messenger ; office 
Prai.se, ft. commendation,hon- 
our ; 77. to commend, extol 
Pray, v. to entreat, suppli- 
cate, implore 
Preach, v. to deliver a pub- 
lick discourse on religious 
subjects 
Price, ft. value, estimation 
Pride, ft. self-esteem, haughti- 
ness 
Prime, n. the spring of life, 
best part ; 77. to put pow- 
der into the pan of a gun 
Prize, ft. a reward gained ; 77 
to rate, to value [ment 
Probe, ft. a surgeon's instru- 
Prose, ft. the usual way of 
speaking or writing ; in op- 
position to verse 
Pure, a. unsullied, clear 
Quail, ft. the name of a bird 
Quake, v. to shake with cold 

or fear 
Queen, ft. the wife of a king 
Queer, a. odd, strange, droll 
Quire, ft. 24 sheets of paper 
Quite, ad. completely, per- 
fectly 
Race, ft. a running match ; 

family, a particular breed 
Rage, w. violent anger ; r. to 

be in a fury 
Rain, n. water falling from 
the clouds , 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED '23 

SECTION III. 

The diligent Scholar. 

Who is he that comes along so briskly with a small 
basket on his arm ? His limbs are strong and active, 
his cheeks are ruddy, and his countenance is cheerful 
and good humoured. 

It is the diligent scholar : he is hastening to school 
that he may be there in time. It is very seldom that 
he is a minute after the time fixed, either in the morn- 
ing, or in the afternoon. 

He is not afraid of summer's heat, or winter's cold, 
nor of a little snow T or rain. His teacher tells him that 
he should be very regular in attending school, in order 
that he may learn well and quick ^and he always likes 
to please and oblige his teacher, and to do as he desires. 

During school time, he always sits or stands in his 
own place ; and he never goes out of the school with- 
out his teacher's leave. He reads no book at school 
but such as his teacher tells him to read. He is very 
careful not to do any mischief, or put any thing out of 
its proper place. 

He is desirous to learn something useful every day, 
and to remember what he has learned: and he is scarce- 
ly satisfied with himself, if he does not find that he im- 
proves every day he lives. 

When he is at school, he remembers that it is out of 
kindness and love to him that his parents or guardians 
have senthim there, or procured him the liberty of going. 

He takes care not to disappoint them in their views, 
nor grieve them nor his careful teacher^ by being neg- 
ligent and careless of his book ; but applies himself with 
the utmost diligence, to whatever studies or business 
his master appoints him. 

In going to "and from school, as well as at all other 
times, he is careful to behave with decency and respect 
to every one, whether rich or poor, old or young. 

He will by no means say or do any thing that would 
offend any person ; neither torture nor abuse any living 
treature ; because he is willing to do in all cases, as he 
would wish to be done unto. 



24 THE AMERICAN ixNSTRUCTER^ 

• The diligent scholar is one who loves, honours and x 
obeys his parents and teacher, by paying them the ut- 
most deference and respect, by a becoming reverence 
for them, a filial affection for their persons, «a tender re- 
gard for their safety and preservation, a constant and 
cheerful attention to their advice, and a ready and im- 
plicit obedience to their commands. 

His parents, brodiers and sisters, and all his friends, - 
love him. His teacher loves him too, and commends 
him very much to all who make inquiries about him, 
and often speaks of his good conduct to the other scho- 
lars, and wishes them to take pattern by him, and be- 
have as he does. 

When he leaves school, he often thinks of what he 
learned there, and tries to remember it, and to improve 
himself in it. He is thankiul to his parents and to his 
teacher, who were so good to him, and took so much 
pains to instruct him; and especially he will be thank- 
ful to God who gave him such kind parents, and so 
good a teacher. 

SECTION IV. 1 

Reflections on Sun-set/ * 
Behold now the beautiful evening drawing her sa- 
ble curtain over the world. All circumstances concur 
to hush our passions, and soothe our cares; liberty, 
that dearest of names, and health, the greatest of bless- 
ings, *give an additional and inexpressible charm to 
every delightful object. 

See how that glorious luminary beautifies the western 
clouds, descending lower, and lower, till his chariot 
wheels seem to hover on the utmost verge of day. The 
ground is now overspread with glimmering shades, ma* 
king a most beautiful landscape. 

The melodious tribe of feathered songsters, full of 
grateful acknowledgments, are now paying their last 
tribute of harmony, and soothing themselves to rest with 
a song of praise to the great Creator. See ! the distant 
eminences are tipt with streaming gold ; the loftiest trees 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 25 

m the groves, and distant towers, catch the last smiles of 
day ; all nature still irradiated by the departing beams. 

But alas ! how transient is the distinction ! how mo" 
mentary the gift! Like all other blessings which mor- 
tals enjoy on earth, it is gone almost as soon as granted. 
See how languishingly it trembles on the lofty spires. 

The lowing herds are slowly bending their way along 
the verdant meadow to meet the milk-maid with her 
pail, who daily robs them of their sweets gathered from 
nature. The flowers fold up their coloured leaves, and 
hang their heads on the slender stalk ; and even the 
gamesome lambs have grown weary of their frolicks. 

The little vivacity that remains of day, decays every 
moment. It can no longer hold its station. While I 
speak, it expires, and resigns the silent world to night. 



SECTION V. 

Select Sentences. 

No man is born wise ; but wisdom and virtue require 
a tutor ; though we can easily learn to be vicious with- 
out a teacher. 

Idleness is the parent of want, and of pain ; but the 
labour of virtue brings forth pleasure. 

The hand of diligence defeats want : prosperity and 
success are the industrious man's attendants. 

Economy is the foundation of liberality, and the pa- 
rent of independence. 

Diligence, industry, and a proper improvement of 
time, are material duties of the young. 

Avoid all harshness in behaviour ; treat every one 
with that civility which springs from a mild and gentle 
heart. 

By taking revenge, a man is but equal with his ene- 
my ; but in passing it over, he is superiour. ( 

Caution is a necessary lesson to be learned by youth ; 
and perseverance, one of the best qualities they can be 
endowed with. 

It is wiser to prevent a quarrel beforehand, than t* 
revenge k afterwards. 

3 



26 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Learning is the temperance of youth, the comfort of 
old age, and the only sure guide to honour and prefer- 
ment. 

Modesty always sits gracefully upon youth ; it covers 
a multitude of faults, and doubles the lustre of every 
virtue which it seems to hide. 

Nothing more engages the affections of men, than a 
handsome address, and graceful conversation. 

Our conversation should be such, that youth may 
therein find improvement, women modesty, the aged re- 
spect, and all men civility. 

The happiness of the body, consists in health ; that 
of the mind, in knowledge. 

True piety is the foundation of good morals, and a 
disposition particularly graceful and becoming in youth. 

Virtue is never safe but when she is secured by the 
guard of prudence : discretion is her handmaid, and 
wisdom her counsellor and instructer. 

Virtue's the friend of life, the soul of health, 

The poor man's comfort, and the rich man's wealth. 



SECTION VI. 

Monosyllables continued. 
\ 1 



Raise, v. to lift, erect, exalt, 

elevate 
Rake, n. a farming utensil ; a 

loose disorderly fellow 
Rare, a. scarce, uncommon 
Rate, n, a price ; a tax ; v. to 

value 
Ray, n. a beam of light 
Reach, v. to hold out ; to ar- 
rive at 
Read, v. to peruse 
Ream, w. 20 quires of paper 
Reap, v. to cut down grain 
Rear, v. to raise up ; n. the 

hinder troop ; last class 
Reed, w. a plant,sniaU pipe 



Reel, n. a frame on which 
yarn is wound ; v. to wind 
on a reel ; to stagger 
RAyme, to. to agree in sound ; 
n. harmony of verses, po- 
etry 
Rice, n. a kind of esculent 

grain 
Ride, v. to be carried on 
horseback, or in a vehicle 
RigAt, a. fit, just ; n. justice 
Rind, w. bark, husk, skin 
Ripe, a. mature, complete 
Rise, v. to get up, ascend 
Rive, v. to split, to cleave 
Road, n. a way for travelling 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



27 



Roam, v> to wander, ramble 
Roar, v. to make a loud noise 
Roast, v. to cook meat before 

the fire 
Robe, w. a dress of dignity 
Roe, n. the female of the hart 
Rogwe, n. a knave, a rascal 
Roll, v. to move in a circle, 

to enwrap 
Rope, n. a cord, string, halter 
Rose, ?i. a fragrant flower 
Rote, n. words uttered by 

mere memory 
Row, n. a number of things 
* placed in a line ; v. to im- 
pel by oars 
Rye, n. a kind of grain 
Safe, a. free from danger 
Sage, a. wise, grave; n. a 
plant; a man of .wisdom 
Sail, n. a canvass sheet ; v. to 

be moved by the wind 
Saint, n. a person eminent 

for piety 
Sale, n. the act of selling 
Same, a. of the like kind 
Save, v. to preserve from dan- 
ger or destruction 
Say, v. to speak, utter 
Scale, n. part of the covering 

of a fish ; a balance 
Scarce, a. uncommon, rare 
Scare, v. to frighten, to terrify 
Scene, n. part of a play, an 

appearance 
Scheme, n. a plan, project 
Scold, v. to find fault 
Scrape, v. to pare lightly ; 

erase ; n. difficulty 
Screak, v. to make a shrill 

noise 
Scream, v. to cry out vio- 
lently 



Sea, n. the ocean, a collection 

of water 
Seal, n. a stamp, mark ; t\ to 

fasten with a seal 
Sear, v. to burn 
Seat, n. a chair, bench 
See, v. to perceive by the eye 
Seed, n. that which produces 
Seek, v. to look for, solicit 
Seem, v. to appear 
SeeTH, v. to boil, to make hot 
Seme, n. a net used in fishing 
Seize, v. to take by force, to 

grasp 
Shade, n. a shadow 
Shake, v. to tremble, to totter 
Shame, n. disgrace 
Shape, n. a form ; v. to form 
Share, n. a portion, a part ; v* 

to divide 
Shave, v* to pare, to cut off 
Sheaf, n. a bundle of grain 
Shear, v. to clip, to cut off 
Sheath, n. a scabbard, the 

case of any thing 
SheaTH, v. to put into a sheath 
Sheep, n. the animal that 

bears wool 
Sheet, n. a piece of paper ; 

linen for a bed ; a sail 
Shield, n. a buckler, defence 
Shine, v. to glitter, to glisten 
Shore^ n, the bank of a river, 

the coast of a sea 
Show, v. to exhibit to view ; 

n. a sight, exhibition 
Shriek, n. a cry of anguish or 

horrour ; v. to scream 
Sight, n. perception by the 

eye , [token 

Sign, v. to subscribe ; w. a 
Size, n. bulk, bigness 
J Skate^n. a kind of sliding sh©0 



m 



THE AMERICAN WSTRUCTER* 



Sky, w. the region which sur- 
rounds the earth, the fir- 
mament 
Slate, ft. a gray stone 
Slave, «. one deprived of 

freedom 
Slay, v. to kill, to murder 
Sleep, n. repose, slumber 
Sleeve, ». the dress covering 

the arm 
Slice, v. to cut into thin pieces 
Slide, v. to move on a slippery 

surface 
Slight, v. to neglect, scorn 
Sloth, n. laziness ; an animal 
Slow, a. not swift, dull 
Sly, a. meanly artful, cunning 
Smile, v. to express pleasure 
•by the countenance ; ft. a 
look of pleasure 
Smite, v. to strike, destroy 
Smoke, n. a sooty exhalation 
Snake, ft. a serpent 
Snare, ft. a net, a trap 
Sneer, ». to show contempt ; 

«. a scornful look 
Sneeze, v. to emit wind audi- 
bly by the nose 
Snipe, n. a kind of bird 
Snow, n. water frozen in 

flakes 
So, ad. in like manner, thus 
Soak, v. to steep, to wet 
Soap, ft. a substance used in 
washing [high 

Soar, v. to fly aloft, to rise 
Sole, ft. the bottom of the foot 
or shoe [painful 

Sore, n. a place tender and 
Sow!, ti. the immortal P art °^ 

man, the spirit 
Source, n a spring, head \ 
original cause 



Sow, v. to scatter, to spread 
Space, n. extension, room 
Spade, n. a sort of shovel 
Spare, v. to do without ; a. 

scanty, lean 
Speak, v. to utter articulate 
sounds, to talk [on 

Spear,ft. a long pointed weap- 
Speech, n. articulate utter- 
ance, talk ; an oration 
Speed, ft. quickness, haste 
Sphere, w. a globe, orb ; com- 
pass of knowledge or action 
Spice, ft. a vegetable produc- 
tion flagrant to the smell 
Spike, ft. a nail ; an ear of 

corn 
Spite, ft. malice, rancour 
Spleen, ft. ill humour ' f 
Spoke, ft. part of a wheel 
Sport, w. play, diversion 
Sprazn, w. a violent extension 

of the tendons 
Spume, ft. foam, froth 
Spy, ft. one who watches an- 

other's actions * 
Squeeze, v. to press close 
Stain, ft. a blot ; infamy ; v. to 

blot, to daub 
Stake, ft. a post ; pledge 
Stare, ?). to look earnestly 
State, ft. condition, dignity ; 
a republick, body of a na- 
tion 
Stave, v. to break in pieces 
Stay, v. to continue in a place 
Steal, v. to take by theft 
Steam, w. the vapoui or smoke 
of any thing moist and hot 
Steel, w. iron refined by fire 
Steep, v. to soak; a. ap- 
proaching to a perpendic* 
ular 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



29 



Stone, n. a hard and insipid 
body | 

Store, n. a warehouse 
Stove, n, a place in which 

fire is made 
Strange, a. wonderful, odd ; 
int. an expression of wonder 
Stray, v. to wander, to rove 
Stream, n. a running water, a 

current 
Street, n. a paved way, a road 
Strife, n. contention 
Strike, v. to hit with a blow 
Strive, v. to endeavour 
Stroll, v. to wander, ramble 
Style, n. manner of writing ; 

title 
Sue, v. to prosecute by law ; 

to entreat, beg, request 
Sure, [shure] a. certain, true 
Sweet, a. luscious to the taste 
Swine, n. a hog, a pig 
Sword, n. a military weapon 
Take, v. to receive ; to seize ; 

to captivate 
Tame, a. gentle, not wild 
Tare, n. a weed ; an allow- 
ance in weight 
Taste, v. to try the relish; 

n. the act of tasting 
Tea, n. a Chinese plant ; li- 
quor made thereof 
Teach, v. to instruct 
Tear, n. water from the eye 
Theme, n. a subject, short 

dissertation 
Thief, n. one who steals 
Tnine, pro. relating to thee 
Three, a. one and two added 
Thrice, ad. three times 
Thrive, v. to prosper; to^grow 
fat or rich [neck 

Throat, n. the fore part of the 
3* 



Throne, n. a royal seat 
Throw, v. to fling, to cast 
Tide, n. ebb and flow of the 

sea 
Tie, v. to fasten, to bind 
Time, n. measure of duration 
Toad, n. an animal resem- 
bling a frog 
Toe, n. one of the divided ex- 
tremities of the foot 
Trade, n. traffick, commerce ; 

v. to deal, to traflick 
Tree, n. a large vegetable 
Tribe, n. a distinct body of 

people 
Try, v. to attempt 
Tune, n. a diversity of notes 

put together, harmony 
Twain, a. two; ad. in two 

parts 
Twice, ad. two times 
Twine, v. to *twist, wrap 
round ; n. a twisted thread 
Type, n. a printing letter ; 

an emblem 
Use, n. service, advantage, 
habit, custom [fruitless 
Vain, a. conceited, proud, 
Veal, n. the flesh of a calf 
Vice, n. wickedness; an iron 

press 
View, n. a prospect, sight ; v. 
to survey, to see ^ 

Vile, a. base, wicked, mean ^ 
Wait, v. to stay * 

Week, n seven days 
Weep, v. to shed tears, la- 
ment, mourn 
Whale, n. the largest of fish 
Wheel, ft. an instrument for 
spinning ; a circular body 
that turns round upon an 
axis 



30 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



1 

Wlie^ n. a species of grain 
Why, ad. for what reason 
Wife, n. a married woman 
Wine, n. the fermented juice 

of grapes 
Wise, a. judging right, skilful, 

prudent 
Wo, n. grief, sorrow, misery 



l 

Write, v. to form letters and 
words with a pen 

Year, n. twelve calendar 
months 

Yield, v. to resign ; to pro- 
duce 

Zeal, n. passionate ardour, 
warmth 



i SECTION VII. 

Monition to Children* 

Children, your kind parents send you to school 
that you may be instructed in many things which may 
render you happy in yourselves, and useful in society. 
They wish you to improve, and to be obedient to your 
iftstructers» 

They know that you must apply your minds to study» 
or you will not learn any thing ; and the whole ex- 
pense of your education will be thrown away, and you 
gro>v up and become a burden to yourselves and parents. 

It is to little effect that instruction is offered to you, 
if you will neither listen to, nor observe the precepts 
which are recommended. You can give no better proofs 
of a docile temper, than by paying, proper respect to 
those lessons which are calculated for the improvement, 
either of the faculties of the mind, or affections of the 
heart, 

Think not that the business of education is a hard- 
ship to which you are subject : it is intended solely for 
your benefit ; to instruct you in those virtues and ac- 
complishments which will tend to make you good and 
happy, useful and agreeable. 

Consider that your parents, by their conduct in this 
instance, are discharging that office which is incumbent 
on them. Your interest, therefore, and their duty, are 
sufficient inducements for the oite to furnish the means 
of improvement, and fot the others to be diligent and 
obedient to their teachers, 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 31 

It is hoped that the means of learning which are now 
offered to you, will be duly estimated ; and that you 
will do every thing in your power to turn it to a good 
purpose. No proficiency can be made in any course 
of study or learning, without application. 

Apply yourselves to the duties you owe to your pa- 
rents, relations, and to all others. Tour parents love 
you sincerely, and do all they can to make you com- 
fortable and happy ; and surely you should love and 
be kind to them in return. 

If you observe the duty you owe to your parents, 
you will be the better disposed to attend to the love 
and respect which are due to every body else. You 
will love your brothers and sisters ; you will try to 
serve and oblige them, and secure their love to yotr. 

This spirit of love at home, will attend you wherever 
you go : it will induce you to respect and oblige your 
friends ; and if you live in love, you will be kind to all 
your playmates ; you will pity the poor and afflicted^ 
and try to relieve their wants. Apply yourselves con- 
stantly to these things, and you will be sure of obtain- 
ing the love and friendship of all who know you. 

Early accustom yourselves to speak the truth. Bad 
children are often disposed to neglect speaking the 
mith when they have committed a fault : shame, or the 
fear of punishment, leads them to conceal it from their 
parents and instructers. 

They are suspected, and asked to confess ; but they 
positively deny, or artfully avoid a direct answer. A 
confession would always be best ; it would generally 
secure v a pardon, or a very trifling correction. 

Take care that you do not imitate such bad examples 
of folly, deceit and wickedness. Be careful that you 
do nothing which your friendg would disapprove ; but 
if you should offend them by doing amiss, and they ask 
you to confess, do it immediately. 

In speaking of others, you should avoid prejudice, 
passion and revenge; but you should always speak of 
bad behaviour and^ wicked actions as they deserve 



32 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

!&nd even if your brothers, sisters or companions whom 
you loye, do what is wrong, and you are requested to 
give an account of their actions, speak plainly and 
faithfully of what you know of the matter. 

By these means, many evils would be checked in 
time, and many gross and daring crimes prevented ; the 
peace of society and that of your young friends would 
be preserved, and their families also, would be kept 
free from strife, confusion and unhappiness. 



SECTION VIII. 

The Village Green. 

On the eheerful village green, 
Scatter'd round with houses neat, 

All the boys and girls are seen, 
Playing there with busy feet. 

Now they frolick, hand in hand, 
Making many a merry chain ; 

Then they form a warlike band, 
Marching o'er the level plain. 

Then ascends the nimble ball ; 

High it rises in the air ; 
Or against the cottage wall, 

Up and down it bounces there. 

Or the hoop, with even pace, 
Runs before the merry crowd : 

Joy is seen in ev'ry face ; 
Joy is heard in clamours loud. 

For, amongst the rich and gay, 

Fine and grand, and deck'd in laces, 

None appear more glad than they, 
With happier hearts, or happier faces. 

Then contented with my state, 

Let me envy not the great ; 
Since true pleasure may be seen 

On a cheerful village green. 



1 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

SECTION IX. 

To a Child Jive years old. 

Fairest flower, all flowers excelling, 
Which in Milton's page we see : 

Flowers of Eve's imbower'd dwelling, 
Are, my fair one, types of thee. 

Mark, my Polly, how the roses 
Emulate thy damask cheek ; 

How the bud its sweets discloses — 
Buds thy opening bloom bespeak. 

Lilies are by plain direction 
Emblems of a double kind ; 

Emblems of thy fair complexion, 
Emblems of thy fairer mind. 

But, dear girl, both flowers and beauty 
Blossom, fade, and die away : 

Then pursue good sense and duty ; 
Evergreens, which ne'er decay ! 



32 



SECTION X. 

Monosyllables continued. 



Act, n. a deed, exploit ; v. to 

do, perform 
Add, v. to join to 
And, conj. a particle which 

joins sentences and words 
Apt, a. ready, quick 
Ask, v. to entreat, to inquire 
Bad, a. wicked, imperfect 
Bed, n. a place to sleep on 
Beg, v. to ask earnestly 
Belt, n. a girdle, sash 
Bench, n. a seat to sit on 
Bend, v. to crook ; to subdue 
Bilge, v. to spring a leak 
Bill, n. the beak of a fowl ; a 

written paper ; an account 

of particulars 



Blank, n. void space ; paper 

unwritten 
Bliss, n. happiness, great joy 
Blunt, a. dull ; unpolite 
Brag, v. to boast, swagger 
Bran, w. the husks of ground 

corn 
Brass, n. a yellow metal 
Breadth, w. the measure from 

side to side 
Breath, n. air drawn in and 

discharged by the lungs- 
Brick, n. a mass of burnt clay 
Bridge, n. a building over 

water for the convenience 

of passing 
Bring, v. to fetch, to conduct 



34 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Brisks a. lively, gay, quick 
Bud, n. the first shoot of a 

plant or tree [ter 

Bunch, w* a hard lump, a elus- 
BuzZj v. to hum like bees 
Can, v. to be able ; n, a cup 
Cap, n. cover for the head 
Cash, n. money, ready money 
Cask, n. a barrel 
Cast, v. to throw, to fling 
Cat, n. a domestick animal 
Ca£ch, v. to seize, ensnare 
Champ, v. to bite, chew 
Chance, m fortune, accident 
CAasm, n. cleft, gap, opening- 
Chat, v. to converse, talk 
Chest, n. a large box of wood 
Chin, n 

face 
Church, n. a place of worship; 

the collective body of 

christians 
Churn, n. a kind of vessel in 

which butter is made 
Clan, 7i. a family, race, sect 
Class, ra„ a rank, order, degree 
Cleanse, v. to make clean 
Clinch, v. to hold fast 
Cling, v. to twine round 
Club, n. a heavy stick ; a 

society 
Crush, v. 

bruise 
Crunch, n, 



2 
Di^ch, n. a trench 
Dread, n. fear, av/e 
Dress, n. clothes, garments 
Drip, ?% to fall in drops 
Duck, n. a water-fowl 
Dull, a. stupid ; blunt 
Dum6, a. speechless, silent 
Dusk, n. tendency to dark- 
ness 
Dust, n. small particles of 

dried earth 
Earth, n. the glo«e we live 

on, land, soil 
Edge, n. the sharp part of an 

instrument 
Elk, n. a large wild animal of 
the stag kind 
lowest part of the j Ell, n. a measure of one yard 
and a quarter 
Elm, n. the name of a tree 
End, n. conclusion, death 
Err, v. to mistake, stray 
Fact, n. reality 
Fast, a. firm, immoveable ; v. 

to abstain from food 
Fat, a. the oily part of flesh 
Fen, n. a marsh, bog 
Fence, n. a guard, security, 

hedge 
Fib, n. a lie, falsehood 
Fill, v. to make full 
Film, n. a thin skin 
Fish, n. an animal that inha- 
bits the water 
Fix, v. to place, determine 
Flash, v. to blaze ; n. a sua - 

den blaze 
Flat, a. smooth, level 
Flax, n. the plant of which 

linen is made 
Flesh, 71. a part of the animal 

body [back ' 

Flinch, v. to shrink or draw 



to 



squeeze ; to 
[cripples 
a support used by 
Cull, v. to select from others 
Cup, n. a drinking vessel 
Dead, a. deprived of life 
Dearth, n. scarcity, famine 
Death, n. extinction of life 
De&t, n. what is another's just 

due 
Peck, v. to dress, adorn ; n. 
the floor of a ship 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



35 



Fling, v. to throw, cast 
Flint, n. a hard kind of stone 
Frank, a. liberal, open, sin- 
cere 
Fresh, a. not salt, new [ion 
Friend, n. a familiar compan- 
Fringe, n. ornamental appen- 
dages 
Fun, n. sport, mirth 
Fund, n. a stock or bank of 

money 
Fur, n. the fine soft hair of 

beasts 
Gag, v. to stop the mouth 
Gang, n. a company, crew 
Gash, n. a cut or wound 
Gem, n. a jewel 
Get, [g hard] v. to procure, 

to gain 
G/iost, n. a spirit, apparition 
Gift, [g hard] n. a thing given 
Gild, [g hard] t?. to wash over 

with gold 
Girl, [gerl] n. a female child, 

young woman 
Give, [g hard] v. to bestow 
Glad, a. pleased, cheerful 
Glass, n. an artificial transpa- 
rent substance 
Glib, «. smooth, quick 
Glimpse, n. a faint light 
(xnat, n. a small stinging in- 
sect 
Grand, a. splendid, noble 
Grant, n. to give, admit, be- 
stow 
Grasp, v. to hold in the hand, 

to gripe 
Grass, n. food for cattle 
Grim, a. ill-looking, horrible 
Grit, n. sand, rough hard par- 
ticles 
Grudge, n. envy, ill will 



Gwess, v. to conjecture 
G?^est, n. one who is enter- 
tained 
Gulf, n a bay ; an abyss 
Gum, n. the substance enclose 
ing the teeth ; the juice of 
trees 
Gun, n. a musket, cannon, fcc. 
Gush, v. to rush out with vio- 
lence 
Hand, n. a part of the body ; 

the palm with the fingers 
Hat, n. a cover for the head 
Have, v. to possess, enjoy 
Head, n. the part that con- 
tains the brain ; a chief 
Health, n. freedom from sick- 
ness [bushes 
Hedge, n. a fence made of 
Help, v. to assist ; n. assis- 
tance, aid 
Helve, n. the handle of an axe 
Hem, n. the edge of a gar- 
ment 
Hemp, n. a plant from which 

ropes are made 
Hence, ad. from this place 
Herd, n. a flock, drove 
Hill, W. an elevation ofground^ 

high land 
Hilt, 72. the handle of a sword 
Hinge, n. a joint on which a 

door turns 
Hint, 7i. a remote allusion^ 

suggestion, intimation 
Hiss, 7i. noise made by a ser- 
pent ; expression of con- 
tempt 
Hifch, v. to move by jerks 
Hug, v. to embrace fondly 
Hulk, 7i. the body of a ship 
Hull, n. a husk, pod, outside ; 
the body of a ship * 



36 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Hum, v. to sing low, to buzz 
Hunt, v. to Chase, pursue 
Hurl, v. to throw with vio- 
lence 
Hurt, v. to injure, wound 
Hush, int. silence ! be still ! 

v. to quiet, appease 
Hut, ft. a poor cottage, mean 

abode 
Hym», n. a divine or holy song 
III, a. bad in any respect ; sick 
Inch, ft. the twelfth part of 

a foot 
Ink, ft. a liquid to write with 
Jerk, n. a sudden jolt 1 
Jest, n. a joke, any thing lu- 
dicrous 
Jet, n. a very black fossil 
Jig, ft. a tyiiek dance 
Judge, n. one who presides in 
a court ; v. to pass sen- 
tence, decide 
Jump, v. to leap, skip 
Just, a. upright, honest 
Kick, ft. a blow with the foot ; 

v. to strike with the foot 
Kid, n. a young goat 
King, n. a monarch, chief ru- 
ler 
Klick, v. to make a small 

sharp noise 
JKhit, v. to unite, join; to 

make stocking-work 
Lack, v. to be in want, to be 

without 
Lad, ft. a boy, youth 
Lag, v. to loiter, stay behind 
Lam6, ft. a young sheep f 
Lamp, ft. a vessel which con- 
tains oil and wick for burn- 
ing 
Lajace, «. a long spear 5 v, to 
pier^fe, to cut 



Land, w. ground, a country 
Lank, a. loose, not filled up 
Lash, ft. part of a whip 
Lass, ft. a girl, young woman 
Last, a. latest ; v. to contin- 
ue ; n. the mould on which 
shoes are formed [door 
Lateh, ft. a fastening for a 
Lead, ft. soft heavy metal 
Learn, v. to gain knowledge , 

improve 
Left, a. opposite the right 
Lend, v. to grant the use of 

any thing 
Length, ft. the extent of any 

thing from end to end 
Less, ad. in a smaller degree 
Lest, cortj. for fear that 
Let,*y. to allow, to suffer; to 

hire out 
Lid, ft. a cover 
Lift, v. to raise, elevate 
Lim&, ft. a member, joint, 

bough 
Limp, v. to walk lamely 
Link, w. part of a chain ; v. to 

unite, join 
Lint, ft. linen scraped soft 
Lip, ft. the outer part of the 

mouth 
Lisp, v. to clip words in then- 
pronunciation 
List, ft. a catalogue, a roll ; a 

strip of cloth 
Live, v. to be in a state of life, 

to exist 
Luck, ft. chance, fortune 
Lug, 7). to pull or carry with 

difficulty 
Lull, v. to compose to sleep 
Lump, ft. a heap, a whole piece 
Lungs, ft. the organs of respi 
ration 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



37 



Lynx, w. a spotted beast 
Mad, a. disordered in the 

mind 
Man, n. the male of the hu- 
man species 
Map, ft. a delineation of coun- 
tries [face 
Mask, ft, a disguise for the 
Mass, rc. a lump, a body 
Mast, n. the beam raised 
above the vessel to which 
the sail is fixed 
Ma^ch, n. a contest ; mar- 
riage ; that which catches 
fire 
Melt, v, to dissolve 
Mend, v. to repair, improve 
Mess, n. a dish or portion of 

- food 

Milk, n. the liquor with which 

animals feed their young 
Mill, n. an engine to grind 

with 
Mince, v. to cut very small 
Mint, n. a place for coining ; 

a plant 
Mirth, [merth] ft. merriment 
Miss, v. not to hit ; ft. a young 

or unmarried woman 
Mist, ft. fog, fine rain, a low 

thin cloud 
Mix, v. to mingle, unite 
Much, w. a great deal ; ad. in 

a great degree 
Mud, n. wet dirt, mire 
Muff, ft. a soft cover for the 
hands [out of 

Mug, ft. a cup used to drink 
Must, v. to be obliged 
Nap, n. a short sleep, slumber 
Neck, ft. a part of the body 
Nerv«, n. an organ of sensa- 
tion 



2 
Nest, n. an abode ; a bed 
formed by a bird for her 
young 
Net, ft. a texture for catching 

fish, birds, &c. 
Next, a. nearest in place 
Nip, v. to pinch, to bite 
Num&, a. torpid, cold, chill ; 

v. to make numb, stupify 
Nurse, ft. one who takes care 

of a sick person 
Pack, ft. a large bundle ; a 
set of cards ; v. to bind up 
for carriage 
Pan, ft. a kitchen vessel ; part 

of the lock of a gun 
Pang, ft. extreme or sudden 
pain [earnestly 

Pant, v. to palpitate, to wish 
Pass, v. to go beyond ; to en- 
act a law ; to be current 
Pat, v. to strike lightly ; ft. a 

light blow 
Pafch, v. to piece, to mend 
Pearl, n. a precious gem 
Peck, ft. the fourth part of a 

bushel 
"Peg, ft. a wooden pin [with 
Pen, ft. an instrument to write 
Pert, a. brisk, lively 
Pest, ft. a plague, mischief t 
Pet, w. a slight displeasure 
Pick, v. to choose, select 
Pig, ft. a young hog [cine 
Pill, ft. a small ball of medi- 
Pin, ft. a short pointed wire 
Pinch, v.. to squeeze 
Pink, ft. a small fragrant . 

flower [part 

Pit, ft. a hole, grave,, hollow 
Pith, ft. marrow, strength, 

principal part 
Plaa, n. a scheme, form 



38 



THE AMERICAN ltfSTRUCTER* 



Plank, n. a thick board ; v. to 

lay with plank 
Plant, n. a vegetable produc- 
tion 
Pledge, n. a pawn 
Plug, m a stopple 
Plum, n. a kind of fruit 
Plum&, m. a leaden weight on 

a line ; v. to regulate 
Plunge, v. to put suddenly 

under water 

Prank, n. frolick, wicked deed 

Press, v. to squeeze, to crush; 

ra.an instrument for pressing 

Prince, n. a sovereign, the 

son of a king 
Print, n. a mark made by im- 
pression ; v, to mark by im- 
pression 
PuiT, v, to blow, to swell with 

wind 
Pulp, n. the soft part of fruit ; 

any soft mass 
Pulse, 7i. the motion of any ar- 
tery as the blood is driven 
through it 
Pump, n. a water engine ; a 
kind of shoe ; v. to work a 
pump 
Purge, v. to cleanse, purify 
Purr, v. to murmur as a cat 
Purse,w.a small bag for money 
Quack, n. a vain boastful pre- 
tender to physick ; v. to 
cry like a duck 
Quelle v. to crush, subdue 
Quench, v. to extinguish 
Quick, a. nimble, active 
Quill, w. the hard and strong 

feather of the wing 
Quilt, n. cover of a bed ; v. to 

stitch two cloths together 
Quince, ft. a tree aad its fruit 



Quit, v. to leave ; discharge 
Rack, n. an engine of torture ; 

a frame for hay 
Raft, n. a float of timber 
Rag, n. a worn-out piece of 

cloth 
Rank, a. strong scented ; n. 
a line of men ; a degree of 
dignity ; v. to place in a 
row 
Rap, n. a quick smart blow 
Rash, a. hasty 
Rasp, n. a large rough file 
Rat, n. a small animal of the 

mouse kind 
Realm, n. a kingdom, state 
Rend, v. to tear with violence 
Rent, w. money paid for any 
thing held of another, , in- 
come 
Rest, n, peace, sleep, ease ; 

v. to be at ease 
Rich, a. wealthy; fertile 
Ridge, n. the upper part of a 

slope, the top 
Rill, n. a small brook, a stream 
Rim, n. border, edge 
Ring, a.- to sound ; n. a cir- 
cle ; ornament ; a sound 
Rinse, v. to cleanse by water 
Rip, v. to tear 

Risk, v. to hazard ; n. dan- 
ger, hazard 
Rough, a. uneven, rugged 
Rub, v. to clean, scour, wipe 
Rum, n. a kind of ardent 

spirits 
Run, v. to move swiftly 
Rush, v. to move with vio- 
lence ; n. a plant 
Rusk, n. a kind of hard bread 
Rust, n. the red incrustation 
of iroQf &c. 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 39 

! a 

Scratch, v. to tear with the 
my nails 

Sand, ?i. soft gravelly earth ! Sculk, v. to lurk secretly, 



Sad, a. sorrowful, dull, gloo- 



Sap, n. the juice of vegeta- 
bles [window 

Sash, «« a belt ; part of a 

.Scaip, n. the skin and flesh 
on the scull [rately 

Scan, v. to examine accu- 

Scent, 7i. smell, odour 



hide 

Scull, n. the brain-pan 
Search, v. to examine, explore 
Sell, ?\ to part with for a price 
Sense, n. faculty of perceiv- 
ing ; understanding ; mean- 
ing 



Schism, n. a division in the I Serve, v. to attend at corn- 
church j mand, obey 

SECTION XI. 

On Reading. 

Reading may be considered as the key which com- 
mands our entrance, and gives us access to the various 
departments of science and literature. It enlarges the 
sphere of observation , and affords abundant materials 
for exercising the faculties of the mind. 

Among ali people distinguished for their refinements 
and civilization, the most prevalent and important art is 
that of reading. The improvement of the mind, the 
cultivation of taste, and the acquisition of knowledge, 
are the advantages derived from this art. 

From reading we are made acquainted with the pass- 
ing events and occurrences in various parts of the world, 
and are enabled to repeat the sentiments of those who 
have existed in former times. 

It brings to view the scenes of departed years, and 
exhibits the rise and fall, and the revolutions of the an- 
cient communities of mankind ; and offers to our re- 
flection all the most important circumstances connected 
with the improvement of human society. 

As reading has a great influence in guiding the opin- 
ions and sentiments of young persons, it is of great im- 
portance that they read books in which things are rep- 
resented in their true colours ; that they properly dis- 
criminate between romance and reality ; and that they 



40 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

reflect upon the substance of what they read, and draw 
suitable inferences from the same. 

To have good books, and to be able to read ther- 
well, is a great privilege. They make us both wise/ 
and better : they instruct us in our duty, and teach ui 
how to behave ourselves. They comfort us in our dis 
tresses and afflictions. 

They pass away our leisure hours pleasantly anc 
usefully; and the amusement which they afford, is 
cheaper than almost any other. They are true friends, 
excellent counsellors, and agreeable companions. 

Be careful to read with attention. When you are 
reading, do not be thinking of any thing else. People 
who read without thinking what they are reading about, 
lose their time : and they cannot be the wiser, or the 
better, for what they read. 

Reflect upon what you have read, or heard other peo- 
ple read ; and if you have a proper opportunity, con- 
verse upon it. To* relate what you kave read, or heard, 
is the best way to help you to remember it. 

It may afford many useful and pleasant subjects of 
conversation ; and it may often prevent quarrelling, tel- 
ling idle tales, silly joking, and talking scandal. In or- 
der to remember any particular passages in a book, 
read them over several times. 

When you have finished reading a book, consider, 
before you begin another, what you have learned from 
it that is useful, and most worthy of being remembered. 
If it contained an account of good persons, or actions, 
consider whether you have done your best to imitate 
them. 

If it instructed you in any particular duty, consider 
whether you have done your best to practice it. A lit- 
tle in this way is more improving, than many volumes, 
however excellent in themselves, read over in a hasty, 
careless manner. 

Let nothing tempt you to read abadbook of any kind. 
It is better not to read at all, than to read bad books. 
A bad book it is truly said, " Is the worst of thieves ;" 
it robs us of time, money, and principles. 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED T 4i 

SECTION XII. 

Mankind are dependant on each other. 

O child of humanity! thou owest thy convenience, 
thy security, thy enjoyment of the comforts and pleas- 
ures of life, to the assistance of others. Rejoice then 
in the happiness and prosperitj^ of thy neighbour. 
! Open not thy ear to slander ; the faults and the fail- 
ings of men give pain to a benevolent heart. Desire to 
do good, and search out occasions for it : in removing 
the oppression of another, the virtuous mind relieves 
itself. 

Shut not thine ear against the cries of the poor, nor 
harden thy heart against the calamities of the innocent. 
When the fatherless call upon thee, when the widow's 
heart is sunk, and she implores thy assistance with tears 
of sorrow ; pity their affliction, and extend thy hand to 
those who have none to help them. 

When thou seest the naked wanderer in the street, 
shivering with cold, and destitute of habitation, let 
bounty open thy heart, let the wings of charity shelter 
him from death, that thy own soul may live. 

Whilst the poor man groans on the bed of sickness ; 
whilst the unfortunate languish in the horrours of a dun- 
geon; or the hoary head of age Jifts up a feeble eye to 
thee for pity ; how canst thou riot in superfluous enjoy- 
ments, regardless of their wants, unfeeling of their woes ? 

SECTION XIIL 

Address from a Teacher to his Pupils, on the useful- 
ness of learning. 
My young pupils, unless you have an inclination 
for learning, unless you feel ambitious to be as forward 
as any in your class, all my endeavours to instruct you, 
will be vain and useless. The youth whose mind is de- 
voted to plays and diversions, and who studies his les- 
sons merely from a fear of correction, will learn but 
little ; and the little he does learn, will soon be forgot* 
ten. 

4* 



42 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

I hope, however, that I shall never be driven to the 
painful necessity of compelling you by correction to at- 
tend to your studies. It will be much more agreeable 
to me, much more to my credit as a faithful instructer, 
and much more to your honour as scholars, to have you 
attend to your studies from a love of learning, and a 
laudable ambition to excel each other in those branches 
of literature, to which your attention may from time 
to time be directed. 

At present you are unacquainted with the world, and 
do not foresee the advantages you will hereafter derive 
from a thorough knowledge of the English Language, 
a competent skill in Arithmetick, and from being able 
to write a plain and handsome hand. To point out the 
advantages to be derived from the above branches of 
learning? is the object of the following observations. 

You are all possessed of some kind of ambition. In 
your amusements, one feels a pride that he is the swift- 
est runner ; another hat he is the most expert wrestler ; 
and another, that he can sling a stone the farthest, ok 
best hit the mark. - \ 

And why are you pleased with excelling in these lit- 
tle amusements ? Because it is natural to youth, as well 
as men, to be pleased with superiority ; because there is a 
delight in being noticed, and often spoken of with praise. 

But, to be a swift runner or an expert wrestler,igan 
object of small importance ; if, therefore, excelling in 
these trifling amusements, affords you pleasure, or gra- 
tifies your pride, how much more grateful and pleasing 
must it be to excel your mates in reading, writing, and 
arithmetick ; which are objects of importance, and will 
never fail of affording pleasure, and of adding to your 
prosperity, usefulness, and respectability in the world. , 

Although you are young at present, the time will 
shortly arrive when you must provide and act for your- 
selves. None of you know where you will hereafter 
live, or what business you may follow for a livelihood ; 
but wherever you live, or whatever business you pur- 
sue, learning will be of immense advantage. 

Such is the disposition of mankind, so ready are many 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 4S 

of them to take the advantage of the unlearned and un- 
experienced, that the youth who is left without learning, 
to act and provide for himself, will meet with many dif- 
ficulties, feel many embarrassments, and be liable to a 
thousand impositions, to which those who are possessed 
of a good common school education will not be subjected. 

In every Town, County, and State in America, are 
offices of honour and profit, which some of you, as you 
arrive to the age of manhood, will be called upon to 
fill. Most of these offices require men who are able to 
read well, to write a f#ir hand, and who understand the 
use of figures. 

Those of you who pay attention to your books, wh@ 
not only learn to read, but to understand what you 
read, who learn the rules of arithmetick, and understand 
how to apply them in practice, will be the ones most 
likely to be promoted* 

At present, I am happy to see you inspired with a 
laudable ambition to excel each other in learning. Will 
you not have the same ambition hereafter, as it respects 
your rank and situation in the world ? If you should, 
let me inform you, that a diligent improvement of your 
present opportunity for learning, is the only way m 
which you can expect promotion in society. 

The youth who is inattentive to his books, and re- 
gards not the lessons and admonitions of his instructer, 
is seldom afterwards respected. He is considered as a 
dull, stupid, ignorant fellow, unqualified for the exer- 
cise of any profitable or useful employment. 

My young friends, it is not only for your interest to 
attend with diligence to your studies, but it is a sacred 
duty which you owe to yourselves, your parents, your 
country, and your Godv 

To-yourselves, as it will increase your happiness; to 
your parents, as it will be the most grateful return you 
can make them for the pains and expense they bestow 
on your education ; to }'our country, as it will enable 
you to reward her for the protection she affords you ; 
and to your God, as it will render you more caoable of 
fulfilling the grand objects of your creation. 



44 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



SECTION XIV. 

Monosyllables continued. 



Set, v. to place, put ; n. a 
number of things suited to 
each other 
Sex, n. the distinction betwixt 

male and female 
Shad, n. a species of fish 
Shaft, n. an arrow, weapon 
Sham, n. delusion, fraud 
Shed, n. a building, shelter ; 

v. to spill, to scatter 
Shell, n. a hard covering 
Shrill, a. giving a piercing 

sound 
Shun, v. to avoid, decline 
Shut, v. to close, bar, confine 
Sick, a. afflicted with disease 
Sieve, n. a bolter, thing used 

to sift with 
.Sift, v. to separate by a sieve 
Silk, n. the thread of the silk- 
worm, the stuff made of it 
Sin, n. a violation of the laws 
of God ; v. to transgress 
the laws of God 
Sing, v. to form the voice to 
melody ; to articulate mu- 
sically 
Singe, v. to scorch, burn 
Sink, v. to go down, settle 
Sip, v. to drink by small 

draughts 
Sit, v. to rest on a seat 
Six, a. twice three 
Sketch, n. the outlines 
• Skiff, n. a small light boat 
Skill, n. knowledge of any 

practice or art 
Skip, v. to leap ; to miss 
Skirt, [skert] n. the edge,bor- 

• 4w 



2 
Slash, v. to cut; to lash 
Sled, n. a carriage without 

wheels 
Slim, a. slender 
Smell, v. to perceive by means 
of the nose ; n. scent, odour 
Smith, n. one who works in 

metals 
Snatch, v. to seize hastily 
Snuff, n. powdered tobacco ; 
the burnt wick of a candle 
Speck, n. a small spot, a stain 
Spell, v. to form words of let- 
ters 
Spill, v. to shed, to waste 
Spin, v.. to draw out into 

threads 
Split, v. to cleave, divide 
Spread, v. to extend, cover 
Sprig, n. a small branch 
Spring, n. a season of the 
year ; a fountain, a source 
Stab,T. to pierce with a point- 
ed weapon 
Stack, n. a large pile of hay, 

corn, &c 
Staff, n. a walking stick 
Stand, v. to be on the feet, to 

stop ; n. a station, stop 
Stem, n. a stalk, twig; race ; 
the forepart of a ship ; v. to 
oppose a current 
Step, v. to move the feet, to 

walk ; n. a footstep 
Stick, v. to fasten, adhere ; 

n. apiece of wood 
Still, v. to silence ; n. a ves- 
sel for distillation ; a. si- 



lent ; 
time 



ad. till now, to this 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



46 



Strength, n. force, vigour 
Stress, n. force, importance 
Stretch, v. to extend, expand 
Strict, a. severe, close, exact 
String, n. a slender rope, cord 
Such, pro. of that kind 
Sum, n. the amount ; the 
whole of any thing [day 
Sun, n. the luminary of the 
Swell, v. to grow bigger 
Swift, a. speedy, quick 
Swim,?;, to float on the water; 

to be dizzy 
Tang, n. a strong taste, relish 
Tap, n. a gentle blow, a rap ; 
v. to touch softly; to broach 
a vessel 
Task, n. something to be done 
imposed by another, em- 
ployment 
Tax, n. a rate, duty ; v. to 

lay a tax 
Tell, v. to utter, to relate 
Tempt, v. to entice to ill, 

provoke 
Ten, a. twice five 
Tense, n. a variation of the 

verb to signify time 
Tent, n. a moveable habita- 
tion, a pavilion 
Term, n. a limit ; the word by 
which a thing is expressed ; 
condition 
Text, n. a sentence of scrip- 
ture ; that on which a com- 
ment is (made 
Thank, v) ; to give or return 

thanks 
Theft, n, the act of stealing 
Thin 3 a. slender, not thick 
Thing, 7t. whatever is; any 

kind of matter 
Thumfc, n. part of the hand 



Thus, ad. in this manner 
Touchy v. to reach, to join ; 

n. the act of touching 
Track, n. a mark left ; a beat- 
en path 
Tract, n. a region ; a quantity 

of land ; a small book 
Trap, n. a snare, ambush 
Trick, n. a cheat, fraud 
Trim, a. nice, neatly dressed 
Trunk, n. a sort of chest; the 

body of any thing 
Trust, v. to confide in, to be 

lieve ; n. confidence, credit 
Tub, 7i. a wooden vessel 
Turf, n. a clod covered with 

grass 
Turn, v. to move round, to 

change [tooth 

Tusk, n. a fang, a very large 
Twelve, a. twice six 
Twig, to. a small branch 
Urge, v. to incite, to solicit^ 

to press 
Vex, v. to provoke, plague 
Well, n. a spring, fountain ; 

a. not sick 
When, ad. at what time ; at 

the time that 
Whim, n. an odd fancy, freak 
Win, v. to gain by conquest 

or play 
Wing, n. the limb of a bird 

by which it flies 
Wish, v. to have a strong de- 
sire ; n. a longing desire 
Wit, n. the intellect, sense, 

understanding 
Wren, n. a small bird • 
Wretch, n. a miserable or 

worthless person 
Yard, n. a measure of three 

feet; enclosed ground 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER, 



Awe, n. reverential fear, re- 
verence 
Braad, a. wide, large 
Cause, n. reason, motive 
ChaZk, n. a kind of white fossil 
CAord, n. the string of a mu- 
sical instrument [tide 
Clause, n. a sentence, an ar- 
Claw, n. the foot of a beast 

or bird 
Corpse, n. a dead body 
Crawl, v. to creep, to move 
slowly [light 

Dawn, v. to begin to grow 
Drawl, v. to utter slowly 
Fall, v. to drop, tumble down 
False, a. not true, dishonest 
Fault, n. a crime ; defect 
Fawn, n. a young deer 
Fork, n. an instrument with 

two or more prongs 
Fraud, n. deceit, cheat 
Gauze, n. a thin transparent 

silk or linen 
<7naw, v. 'to bite, to eat by 

degrees 
Hall, n. a mansion house ; a 
large room [a march 

Halt, v. to stop ; n. a stop in 
Haul, v. to pull, to drag 
Hawk,??, a bird of prey 
Horn, n. a hard substance on 
the heads of some animals 
Jaw, n. the bone of the mouth 
in which the teeth are pla- 
ced 
Law, n. a rule, decree, order 
Lord, n. the Divine Being ; a 
title of honour [beetle 

Maul, n. a large hammer or 
Nor, conj. neither, not even 
North, n. opposite the south 
Onght s v, to be obliged, should 



Pall, w. a cloak of state ; a 

covering for the dead 
Pause, 7i. a stop 
Paw, u. the foot of a beast 
Pawn, v. to pledge 
Salt, n. a substance which af- 
fects the taste and stimu- 
lates the palate 
Sauce, n. something to im- 
prove the relish of food 
Scald, v. to burn with hot li- 
quids [tempt 
Scorn, v. to despise ; 7i. con- 
Small, a. little, slender 
Squall, v. to scream suddenly; 

n. a sudden gust of wind 
Stall, n. a place for horses 

and cattle 
Stork, n. a kind of bird 
Storm, n. a tempest ; assault ; 
v. to attack by open force 
Straw, n. the stalk of gpain 
Ta/k, v. to speak; n. oral 

conversation 
Tall, a. high in stature, lofty 
Thaw, v. to melt, dissolve 
Thought, n. the act of think- 
ing, idea 
Wa/k, v. to go on foot, travel 
War, n. open hostility, fight- 
ing [nish 
Warn, v, to caution, admo- 
4 

Alms, n. a gift to the poor 
Arch, n. part of a circle 
Arm, 7%. a limb of the body 
Art, n. skill, science, trade 
BaZm, n. the name of a plant 
Barn, n. a storehouse used for 

corn, hay, stabling, &c. 
Bath, n. a place to bathe in 
Ca/m, 7i. stillness ; a quiet, 
serene 



1THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



47 



Cart, n. a carriage of two 
wheels [or meat 

Carve, v. to cut wood, stone, 
Charge, v. to entrust, impute 
Charm, v. to delight 
Dark, a. without light, blind 
Farm, ?i. land occupied by a 

farmer 
Gward, v. to watch, protect 
HaZf, n, one of two equal parts 
Hard, a. firm, solid ; cruel 
Hark, v. to listen, hear 
Harm, n. injury, mischief 
Harp, n. a musical instrument 
Harsh, a, rough, austere 
Jar, n, an earthen vessel ; a 

harsh sound 
Large, a. bulky, big 
Lark, n. a small singing bird 
Lawgh, v. to make that noise 

which mirth excites 
Laz/nch, v. to push to sea, set 

off 
Mar, v. to injure, damage 
March, n. the third month ; a 
movement of soldiers ; a 
solemn walk or tune ; v. to 
move in a military form 
Mark, n. a stamp, object ; v. 

to make a mark 
Marl, n. a kind of clay 
Marsh, n. a swamp, fen, bog 
PaZm, n. a tree ; inner part of 

the hand 
Par, n. a state of equality 
Parch, v. to scorch, to burn 

slightly 
Park, n. a piece of ground en- 
closed for deer 
Parse, v. to resolve by the 

rules of grammar 
Part, n. a portion, share 5 v. 
to divide ; to go away 



Path, n. a foot-road [song 
jPsa/m, n. a kind of sacred 
Scarf, n. a loose covering for 

the shoulders 
Shark, n. a ravenous fish 
Sharp, a. keen, piercing 
Smart, a. quick, active, witty ; 

v. to feel quick pain 
Snarl, v. to growl like a dog 
Spark, ^. a rvill particle of 

fire 
Star, n. a luminous body in 
the heavens ; a mark of 
reference [ger 

Starve, v. to perish with hun- 
Tar, n. liquid pitch ; a sailor 
Tart, a. sour, acid, keen 
Yarn, n. spun wool or flax 

5 
Block, n* a short piece of tim- 
ber 
Blot, v, to blur, efface, stain 
Bond, n. a written obligation 
Cloth, n. any thing woven for 

dress 
Cost, n. expense, price 
Cez/gh, rc. a disorder of the 
lungs [craft 

Dodge, v. to fly from, to use 
Dog, n. a domestick animal 
Drop, n. a small quantity of 
liquid [rust 

Dross, n. the scum of metalsg 
Fog, n. a thick mist, vapour 
Fond, a. tender, much pleas- 
ed with 
Fox, n. a wild animal of the 
dog kind [garment 

Frock, n. a dress, outward 
Frog, n. an amphibious animal 
Frost, w. the power or act of 

congelation 
Froth, ». foam, spume „ 



48 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Hot, a. fiery, having heat 
j£nock, v. to beat, clash 
Jtnot, n. a part which is tied ; 

a hard place in wood 
Lock, n. part of a door or gun; 
a contrivance to raise the 
water on a canal ; v. to fas- 
ten 



5 

Lodge, v. to place ; to har- 
bour 
Log, n. a piece of wood 
Long, a, not short 
Lop, v. to cut short 
Loss, n. damage, forfeiture 
Lost, pa. gone, perished 
Lot, n. state assigned, fortune 



SECTION XV. 

The danger of keeping Bad Company. 

The danger of keeping bad company, arises princi- 
pally from our aptness to imitate and catch the manners 
and sentiments of others. In our earliest youth, the 
contagion of manners is observable. In the boy yet 
Incapable of having any learning instilled into him, we 
easily discover from his first actions, and rude attempts 
at language, the kind of persons with whom he has 
been brought up : we see the early spring of a civilized 
education, or the first wild shoots of rusticity. 

As he enters farther into life, his behaviour, manners 
and conversation, all take their cast from the company 
he keeps. Observe the peasant and the man of educa- 
tion : the difference is striking. And yet God has be- 
stowed equal talents on each : the only difference is, 
they have been thrown into different scenes of life, and 
have had commerce with persons of different stations. 

Nor are manners and behaviour more easily caught, 
than opinions and principles. In childhood and youth, 
we naturally adopt the sentiments of those about us : 
and as we advance in life, how few of us think for our- 
selves ! how many of us are satisfied with taking our 
opinions at second hand! 

The great power and force of custom forms another 
argument against keeping bad company. However 
shocked we may be at the first approaches of vice, this 
shocking appearance goes off upon an intimacy with it. 
Custom will soon render the most disgustful object fa- 
miliar to our view ; and this is indeed a kind provision 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTOR. 49 

of nature, to render labour, toll, and danger, which are 
the lot of man, more easy to him.- 

The raw soldier, who trembles at the first encounter, 
becomes a hardy veteran in a few campaigns. Habit 
renders danger familiar, and of course indifferent to him. 
But habit, which is intended for our good, may, like 
other kind appointments of nature, be converted into a 
mischief. 

The well disposed 3'outh, when first entering into bad 
company, is shocked at what he sees and hears : the 
good principles which he had imbibed, ring in his ears 
an alarming lesson against the wickedness of his com- 
panions. But, alas! this sensibility is of short duration : 
the next jovial meeting makes the horrid picture of 
yesterday more easily endured. 

Virtue is soon thought a severe rule, an inconvenient 
restraint. A few pangs of conscience now and then 
whisper to him that he once had better thoughts : but 
even these by degrees die away, and he who at first was 
shocked even at the appearance of vice, is formed by 
custom into a profligate leader of vicious pleasures. 

Bad company should be avoided for several reasons ; 
as it hinders religious improvement, takes off the heart 
from God, gradually lessens the fear of sin, impercepti- 
bly draws men into the commission of iniquity, and in 
this way, destrovs both the usefulness and comfort of 
life. 

It has been the ruin of thousands, and tens of thou- 
sands. By it multitudes have been led on to actions 
and crimes, at the bare thought of which they once shud- 
dered. By means of evil company, they have had their 
minds filled with fears, and their consciences overwhelm- 
ed with horrour. 

If, therefore, you value your credit and comfort in 
life, your peace in death, or your happiness in eternity, 
shun evil company. Oppose the first approaches of 
sin ; vigilantly guard yourselves against the insidious 
«nemy ; and abhor the very sound of the expression, 
had company* 



50 THE- AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

SECTION XVI, 

True Pleasure. 

The man whose heart is replete with pure and im~ 
affected piety, who looks upon the great Creator of the 
universe in that just and amiable light which all his 
works reflect upon him, cannot fail of tasting the sub- 
limest pleasure, in contemplating the stupendous and 
innumerable effects of his infinite goodness. 

Whether he looks abroad on tjie moral or natural 
world, his reflections must still be attended with delight; 
and the sense of his own unworthiness, so far from les- 
sening, will increase his pleasure, while it places the 
forbearing kindness and indulgence of his Creator, in a 
still more interesting point of view. 

Here his mind may dv/ell upon the present, look 
back to the past, or stretch forward into futurity, with 
equal satisfaction; and the more he indulges contem- 
plation, the higher will his delight arise. Such a dis- 
position as this, seems to be the most secure foundation 
on which the fabrick of true pleasure can be built. 

Next to the veneration of the Supreme Being, the 
love of human kind seems to be the most promising 
source of pleasure. It is a never failing one to him, 
who, possessed of this principle, enjoys all the power of 
indulging his benevolence ; who makes the superiority 
of his fortune, his knowledge, or his power, subservient 
to the wants of his fellow creatures. 

It is true there are few whose power or fortune is 
so adequate to the wants of mankind, as to render them 
capable of performing acts of universal beneficence ; 
but a spirit of universal benevolence may be possessed 
by all: the bounteous Author of Nature has not pro- 
portioned the pleasure to the greatness of the effect, 
but to the greatness of the cause. 

The contemplation of the beauties of the universe, 
the cordial enjoyments of friendship, the tender delights 
of love, and die rational pleasures of religion, are open 
to all mankind ; and each of them seems capable of 
trivino- real happiness. 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 51 

These being the only foundations from which true 
pleasure springs, it is no wonder that many should be 
compelled to say they have not found it ; and still cry 
out, " Who will show us any good*}" They seek it in 
every way but the right way ; they want a heart for de- 
votion, humanity, and love, and a taste for that which 
s truly beautiful and admirable. 



SECTION XVII. 

Life is a Flower. 

4i The blossoms are fallen, and the beds of flowers 
are swept away by the scythe of the mower." This is 
a scene to which w T e are accustomed at the summer sea- 
son of the year : we see the grass fall by the mower's 
scythe, and the gay flowers that adorned the meadows, 
swept away unregarded. 

The green, the yellow, the crimson, the succulent, 
fall undistinguished before the fatal instrument that cuts 
them off. They are scattered on the ground, and with- 
ered by the intense heat of the day. 

The blooming flower which stands the pride of the 
verdant field, glowing in beautiful colours, and shining 
with the dawn of the morning, ere the sun gains its me- 
ridian Jieight, falls a sacrifice to the severing steel, and 
fades in the scorching rays of noon. 

Thus it is with human life ; the thread is cut, and 
man falls into the silent tomb. Nothing can ward off 
the fatal stroke : the aged and infirm, the blooming 
youth in strength and vigour, and the weak and help- 
less infant, are without distinction swept away by the 
scythe of Death, the great destroyer. 

The active youth, who in the morning rises with 
health and vivacity, may at noon lie pale and motion- 
less, at the feet of this great victor ; and at the setting 
of the morrow's sun, be consigned to the dark and lone- 
some mansion of the dead. 

Cities and nations are subject to the same fate. How 
soon is a flourishing town depopulated by a pestilential 



52 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED. 



disease ! How soon is a nation cut off by the raging 
of a direful war ! 

" O ! tjhat mine head were waters, and mine eye 
" Were fountains flowing like the liquid skies ; 
" Then would I give the mighty flood release, 
a And weep a deluge for the human race." 



SECTION XVIII. 

Monosyllables continued. 
5 



Mob, 'n. a crowd, rabble 
Mock, v. to deride, mimick ; 

a. false, counterfeit 
Mop, n. a utensil to clean 

houses 
Moss, ft. a substance that 

grows on tfees 
Moth, ft. a small insect that 

eats cloth 
Nod, v. to bow the head 
Not, ad. a word of denying 
NoJch, ft. a nick; v. to cut in 

small hollows 
Odd, a. not even ; strange 
Odds, ft. in equality y superi- 
ority 
Of, [ov] pr. concerning 
Off, ad. signifying distance ; 

from 
On, pr. upon ; ad. forward 
Plot, ft. a conspiracy, intrigue ; 

v. to contrive, to plan 
Pod, ft. the husk or shell of 

seeds 
Pond, ft. a standing water ; a 

small lake 
Prong, ft. a branch of a fork 
Prop, ft. a support ; v. to sus- 
tain, support 
Quash, v. to crush 
Rob, v. to steal, to plunder 
Rock, ft. a large mass of stone 



Rod, ft. a perch, pole ; a twig, 
instrument of correction 

Scoff, v. to laugh with scorn, 
to ridicule 

Shock, v. to shake ; to dis- 
gust ; ft. a concussion ; a 
pile of sheaves 

Shop, ft. a place for the sale 
of wares, or for work 

Shot, ft. small balls for the 
charge of a gun 

Sob, v. to sigh with convul- 
sive sorrow ; ft. a convul- 
sive sigh 

Sod, ft. a turf, clod 

Soft, a. tender, not hard 

Solve, v. to explain 

Song, n. a composition in 
verse to be sung 

Strong, a. vigorous, potent 

Stop, ft. a pause; cessation 
of motion ; v. to. hinder; to 
put an end to 

Swamp, ft. a marsh, fen, bog 

Swan, ft. a large water-fowl 

Throng, ft. a crowd, multitude 

Tongs, ft. a utensil to take up 
fire, &c. 

Wash, v. to cleanse with wa- 
ter 

What, pro. that which, which 
part fx 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



A3 



Broom, ft. an instrument te 

sweep with 
Bruise, v. to mangle with a 

heavy blow ; ft. a hurt 
Brute, n. a creature without 

reason 
Choose, v. to select, pick out 
Food, n. victuals, provision 
Fool, ft. an idiot 
Fruzt, ft. the produce of trees 

and plants 
Gloom, ft. darkness, heavi- 
ness of mind 
Goose, ft. a large water-fowl 
Loom, ft. the frame in which 

weavers make their cloth 
Loose, a. unbound ; v. to un- 
bind [forfeit 
Lose, v. to suffer loss ; to 
Mood, ft. temper of mind ; a 

term in grammar 
Moon, ft. the great luminary 
of the night [day 

Noon, ft. the middle of the 
Noose, ft. a running knot 
Pool, ft. a standing water,pond 
Poor, a. not rich ; lean 
Proof, n. evidence, trial 
Prove, v. to evince, try 
Rood, ft. the fourth part of an 

acre 
Boom, ft. an apartment, place 
Rude, a. rough, harsh, unci- 
vil [ernment 
Rule, v. to govern ; n. gov- 
ScAool, ft. a place for educa- 
tion [the foot 
Shoe, w. the outer cover for 
Sloop, ft. a small vessel 
SmooTH, a. even on the sur- 
face 
Soon, ad. before long, shortly 
Soot, ft. condensed smoke 
5* 



Spoon, w. a vessel with a han- 
dle used in eating liquids 
Stool, ft. a seat without a back 
Stoop, v. to bend, submit 
Swoon, ft. a fainting fit 
Tom&, ft. a repository or mon- 
ument for the dead [above 
Too, ad. likewise, over and 
Truth, ft. reality, certainty 

Bush, ft. a shrub, bough 
Foot, ft. a measure of 12 inch- 
es ; the part on which we 
stand 
Full, a. replete, perfect; ad. 

without abatement 
Good, a. virtuous, having desi- 
rable qualities. 
Goods, w. merchandise, furni- 
ture wares 
Push, v. to urge forward, 
thrust, press, go j 

Pull, v. to drag forcibly 
Put^v. to lay, place 

8 
Bird, ft. a name applied to 

fowls 
Blood, ft. the red fluid that cir- 
culates through the body 
Dirge, ft. a mournful ditty 
Dirk, ft. a kind of dagger 
Dirt, w. earth, filth > 

Flirt, ft. a sudden motion L> 
Flood, ft. a deluge, flow of tide 
Front, «. the face ; the fore- 
part of any thing 
Love, v. to regard with affec? 
tion ; ft. passion, friendship 
Month, w. the 12th part of a 

year 
None, ft. not any, not one 
Sir, ft, a word of respect used 
to men, a title . , : - 



54 



THE AMERICAN IN8TRUCTER 



8 
Some, a. a part, more or less 
Son, n. a male child 
Stir, v. to move, agitate ; ». a 

tumult, bustle 
Thirst, n. the pain suffered 

for want of drink; v. to 

feel want of drink 
Tong, n. the catch of a buckle 
Tongwe,rc. the organ of speech 
Word, «. a single part of 

speech; talk; tidings 
Work, v. to labour, toil 
World, n. the universe, the 

earth, mankind, &c. 

9 

Freight, n. the loading of a 

ship 
Prey, n. something to be de- 
voured ; t). to feed by vio- 
lence 
Reign, v. to rule as a king 
THere, ad. in that place 
Vein, n. a tube in the flesh 
through which the blood 
flows 
oc 
Boil, v. to be agitated by heat 
Choice, n. act of choosing, 

thing chosen 
Coil, v. to gather into a nar- 
row compass 
Hoist, v. to lift up i 
Join, v. to add, unite [meet 
Joint, n. a point where bones 
Joist, n. a small beam to sup- 
port floors 
Moist, w. wet in a small de- 
gree 
Noise, ». clamour, any sound 
Oil, n. grease, the juica jf 

olives, &c. 
Point, n. a sharp end ; a stop! 
in writing 



Poi*e, v. to balance 
Toil, v. to labour, work 
Voice, n. sound emitted by 

the mouth 

°y 

Boy, n. a male child, lad 
Joy, n. happiness, gladness 

ou 
Cloud, n. a body of vapours 

in the air 
Bou&t, v. to question, distrust 
Douse, v. to plunge into water 
Gout, n. a painful disease 
Ground, n. the earth, land 
Hound, n. a dog used in hunt- 

ing 
House, n. a place of abode * 
Loud, a. noisy > clamorous 
Mouse, n. a small animal 
Mouth, n. the aperture in the 
head where food is receiv- 
ed ; an opening [thing 
Noun, n. the name of any 
Ounce, n. a weight ; a lynx 
Our, pro. relating to us 
Out, ad. not within ; to^the 

end ; at a loss 
Plough, n. a farming utensil 
Pounce,^, the claw of a bird 
Pound, n. a weight ; 20 shil- 
lings 
Pout, v. to look sullen, frown 
Proud, «. haughty, lofty 
Round, a. circular, smooth 
Route, n. a road, way, journey 
Shout, v. to cry in triumph ; 

ft. a cry of rejoicing 
Slough, n. a deep miry place 
Sound, a. healthy, whole ; n m 
a noise ; a shallow sea ; v. 
to make a noise ; to search 
for bottom with a lead 
Sour, a. acid, tart ; peevish 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED. 



*5 



South, n. the place where the 
sun is at noon ; the south 
region ; a. southward ; ad. 
toward the south 
Spouse, n. a husband or wife 
Stout, a. strong, valiant 
Trout, n. a delicate fish. 
ow 

Brow, n. the forehead ; edge 

of a hill 
Brown, a. the name of a colour 
Clown, n. an ill bred man ; a 

rustick [tude 

Crowd, n. a confused multi- 
Down, n. very soft feathers 



Drown ,v. to suffocate in water 

Frown, n. a look of displeas* 
ure ; v. to look cross 

Gown, w. a 1-ong upper gar- 
ment 

Growl, v. to snarl, grumble 

How, ad. in what manner 

Howl,#.to cry as a wolf or dog 

Now, ad. at this time 

Prowl, v. to rove about ; to 
wander for prey . 

Scowl, v. to frown ; to look 
angry 

Vow, v. to make a promise i 
n. a solemn promise 



SECTION XIX. 

Mortality. 

I have seen the rose in its beauty ; it spread its. 
leaves to the morning sun. I looked again ; it was dy~ 
ing upon the stalk ; the grace of its form was gone, its 
loveliness was vanished away» its leaves were scattered 
on the ground, and no one gathered them. 

A stately tree grew on the plain ; its branches were 
covered with verdure, its boughs spread wide and made 
a goodly shadow ; the trunk was like a strong pillar, 
and the roots were like crooked fangs. I looked again ; 
the verdure was nipped by the east wind, the branches 
were lopped away by the axe, the worm had made its 
way into the trunk, and the heart thereof was decayed ; 
it mouldered away, and fell to the ground. 

I have seen the insects sporting in the sunshine^ and 
darting along the streams ; their wings glittered with 
gold and purple, their bodies shone like the green em- 
erald ; they were more numerous than I could count : 
their motions were quicker than my eye could glance. 
I looked again ; they were brushed into the pool ; they 
were perishing with the evening breeze ; the swallow 
had devoured them ; the pike had seized them ; there 
were none found of so great a multitude,. 



56 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER. 1 

I have seen man in the pride of his strength ; his 
cheeks glowed with beauty, his limbs were full of ac- 
tivity, he leaped, he walked, he ran, he rejoiced that he 
was more excellent than those. I looked again ; he 
lay cold and stiff on the bare ground ; his feet could 
no longer move, nor his hands stretch themselves out : 
his life was departed from him, and the breath out of 
his nostrils. Therefore do I weep ; because death is 
in the world ; the spoiler is among the works of God : 
all that is made, must be destroyed ; all that is born,, 
must die. 



SECTION XX. 

Immortality. 

I have seen the flower withering on the stalk, and its 
bright leaves spread on the ground. I looked again ; 
it sprung forth afresh, its stem was crowned with new 
buds, and its sweetness filled the air. 

I have seen the sun set in the west, and the shades 
of night shut in the wide horizon : there was no colour, 
nor shape, nor beauty, nor musick ; gloom and dark- 
ness brooded around. I looked again ; the sun broke 
forth from the east, and gilded the mountain tops ; the 
lark rose to meet him from her low nest, and the shades 
of darkness fled away. 

I have seen the insect, being come to its full size, lan-> 
guish and refuse to eat ; it spun itself a tomb, and was 
shrouded in the silken cone ; it lay without feet, or 
shape, or power to move. I looked again ; it had 
burst its tomb, it was full of life, and sailed on coloured 
wings through the soft air ; it rejoiced in its new being. 

Thus shall it be with thee, O man ; and so shall thy 
life be renewed. A little while shalt thou lie in th'* 
ground, as the seed lies in the bosom of the earth ; but 
thou shalt be raised again, never to die any more. 

Who is he that comes to burst open the prison doors 
of the tomb, to bid the dead awake, and to gather his 
redeemed from the four winds of heaven ? He descends 
on a fiery cloud , the sound of a trumpet goes before 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 57 

him, thousands of angels are on his right hand. It is 
Jesus, the Son of God, the Saviour of men, the friend 
of the good. He comes in the glory of his Father ; he 
has received power from on high. 

Mourn not, therefore, child of immortality ! For the 
spoiler, the cruel spoiler that laid waste the works of 
God, is subdued. Jesus has conquered death ; — child 
of immortality no longer mourn. 



SECTTO^ XXI. 

jtlealth. 

Who * s-ne that with graceful steps, and with a lively 
air, trips over yonder plain ? The rose blushes on her 
cheeks, the sweetness of the morning breathes from her 
lips ; joy, tempered with innocence and modesty, spar- 
kles in her eyes ; and the cheerfulness of her heart ap- 
pears in all her movements. 

Her name is Health : she is the daughter of Exercise 
and Temperance. Their sons inhabit the iriountains 
and the plain. They are brave, active and lively, and 
partake of all the beauties and virtues of U^M sister. 

Vigour strings their nerves, strength dwells in their 
bones, and labour is their delight all the day long. — 
The employments of their father excite their appetites, 
and the repasts of their mother refresh them- 

To combat the passions is their delight ; to conquer 
evil habits their glory. Their pleasures are moderate, 
and therefore they endure ; their repose i$ short, but 
sound and undisturbed. Their blood is pure, their 
minds are serene, and the physician does not find the 
way to their habitations. 



Invocation to Sleep. 

Sleep, downy sleep, come close my eyes, 
Tir'd with beholding vanities : 
Welcome^ sweet sleep, that drives away 
The toils and follies of the day. 
Op thy soft bosom will I lie, 
Forget the world, and learn to die,. 



5B 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



SECTION XXII. 

Words of two syllables, accented on t ht first, 
1 



A ble, a. having power, capa- 
ble of doing 
A corn, n. the seed or fruit of 

the oak 
A ere, n. a certain quantity 

of land 
A ged, a. old, ancient 
A gent, n. a deputy, substitute 
An cient, [ane-tshent] a. old, 

not modern 
A pril, n. the fourth month of 

the year 
Ba con, n. the flesh of a hog 
salted and dried [rests 
Bai* liff, n, an officer that ar- 
Ba ker, n. a person that bakes 
Bane ful, a. poisonous, de-f 

structive 
Ba sin, n. a small vessel ; pond 
Ba sis, n. foundation, support 
Bear er, w. a carrier of any 

thing ; supporter 
Beast ly, a. brutal, obscene 
Bee hive, n. the place where 
bees are kept [insect 

Bee tie, n. a heavy mallet $ an 
Be ing, n. existence 
Bi ble, n. the sacred volume 
Blame less, a. innocent, guilt- 
less 
Blind ness, n. want of sight 
Bold ness, ». courage, assu- 
rance 
Bol ster, n. a large pillow, 

long cushion 
Bra sier, [bra zhur] n. one 

who works in brass 
Bri er, n. a prickly bush 
By word) n. a cant word, pro- 
verb, jest* scoff, a saying 



Ca ble, n. a rope for an anchor 
Ca denci,n. a fall of the voice 
Cam brick, n. line linen ' 
Care ful, a. cautious, saving 
Care less, a. heedless, negli- 
gent 
Ce dar, n. a tree 
Chair man, n. president of an 

assembly 
Cham ber, ?i. part of a house 
Chea ter, n. one who cheats 
Cheer ful, a. gay, full of life 
Child hood, n. infancy, the 
state of a child [pies 

Ci der, n. liquor made of ap- 
Clear ness, n. brightness 
Cli ent, n. employer of an ad- 
vocate [the air 
Cli mate, n. a tract of land ; 
CIotm ier, n. a maker of cloth 
Coach man, n. a driver of a 

coach 
Coarse ness, n. roughness | 
Cold ness, n. want of heat ) 
Cra zy, a. broken-witted 
Crea ture^ [t like tsh] n. a 

created being 
Cri sis, a. critical time 
Dai ly, ad. every day [ish 
Dam ty, a. delicate, squeam- 
Dai sy, n. a spring flower 
Dan ger, n. risk, hazard 
Dea con, w. a church officer 
De cent, a. modest, becoming 
De mon, w. an evil spirit 
Dire ful, a. dreadful 
Di vers, a. several, sundry 
Dole ful, a. sorrowful, dismal 
Do nor, w. a giver, bestower 
Do zy ? a. sleepy, stupid 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED, 



59 



Dra ma, n. the action of a 

play, a play, a poem 
Dra per, n. one who deals in 

cloth 
Drea ry, a. gloomy, mournful 
Du el, n. a fight between two 

persons 
Du ty, n. obligation ; a tax 
Ea ger, [ g hard] a. ardent, 

zealous 
Ea gle, n. a bird of prey 
Ea sy, a. not difficult ; at rest 
E qual, a. even, uniform, alike 
E ra, w. an epoch ; a point 
of time [ment 

E ther, n. pure air, an ele- 
E ven, a. level, smooth 
E vil, a. wicked, bad 
Faint ness, n. feebleness 
Fair ly, ad. justly, honestly 
Fair ness, n. beauty ; honesty 
Faith ful, a. firm to the truth 
Faith less, a. unbelieving 
Fa mtfus, a. noted, renowned 
Fa tal, a. deadly, mortal 
Fa V0ur, n. kindness ; v. to 

support 
Fear ful, a. timorous, awful 
Fear less, a. very bold, in- 
trepid 
Fea ture, [t like tsh] n. the 

cast of the face 
Fee ble, a. weak, infirm 
Feel ing, n. sensibility, hu- 
manity, tenderness 
Fe ver, n. a disease, heat 
Fi bre, n e a small thread ; a 

very small root 
Fig A ter, 7i. a warriour, hero 
Fi nal, a. conclusive, last 
Fine ness, w. delicacy, purity 
Fi nite, a. limited, bounded 
Fire arnw, n. guns, muskets 



Fla V0ur, n. taste, relish, smell 
Flu ent, a. eloquent, ready 
Flu id, n. a liquid, any thing 

that flows 
Fore cast, n. contrivance be- 
forehand 
Fore man, n. chief man in a 

shop 
Fore most, a. first in a place 

or dignity 
Fore sight, ra. foreknowledge 
Fra grance, w. sweetness of 

smell 
Fra grant, a. sweet-smelling 
Fra mer, n. a maker, contriver 
Free born,n. inheriting liberty 
Free cost, n. without expense 
Free dom, n. liberty 
Free ly, ad. liberally 
Free ness, n. liberality, qual- 
ity of being free 
Fre quent, a. often occurring 
Fri day, n. the sixth day of 

the week 
Frigvk ful, a. full of terrour 
Fru gal, a. careful, thrifty 
Fu el, n. matter for the fire 
Fu ry, n. madness, rage 
Fu ture, [t like tsh] a. that 
which is to come hereafter 
Game ster, n. one addicted to 

gaming, a gambler 
Gi ant, n. a man unnaturally 

tall or large 
Glo ry, n. honour, fame, hap- 
piness, praise 
Gol den, a. made of gold 
Gold finch, n. a kind of bird 
Gold smith, n. one who works 

in gold 
Grace ful, a. comely, beauti- 
ful ; with dignity 
Gra clous, a. merciful, kind 



60 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Grate ful, a. having a due 

sense of favours 
Gr& ter, n. a rough instrument 

to grate with 
Gra tis, ad. for nothing, freely 
Grave ly, ad. seriously, sol- 
emnly 
Gra vy, n. the juice of meat 
Great ness, n. largeness, dig- 
nity, merit 
Gree dy, a. eager, ravenous 
Gnev 0us, a. afflictive, heavy 
Gro cer,w. a dealer in liquors, 

sugars, teas, &c. 
Gwi dance, n. direction, gov- 
ernment 
Gwide less, a. without a guide 
Has ty, a. quick, passionate 
Hate ful, a. detestable, vile 
Ha tred, n. ill will, dislike 
Ha zy, a. foggy, misty, dark 
Hear sa«/ ? n. report, rumour 
Hea THen, n. a pagan, one 

destitute v of revelation 
Heed less, a. careless, inat- 
tentive 
Heigh ten, v. to raise, increase 
He ro, n. a brave man ; a 
great warriour [tie 

Wigh ness, n. elevation ; a ti- 
Hind most, a. the last 
Hire ling, ». one serving for 

wager 
loarse ness, n. roughness of 

voice, harshness 
Hoi ster, n. a case for pistols 
Ho ly, a. pure, religious 
3ome ly, a. plain, inelegant 
lope less, a. without hope 
iu .man, a. belonging to or 

like man 
$fti raour, n. general turn of 
mind ; moisture 



l 
Hy phen, n. a short mark be- 
tween words or syllables 
I cy, a. cold, full of ice . 

I die, a. unemployed, lazy 
I ris, n. the rainbow ; a circle 
I ron, [i urn] n. a hard metal 
I tern, n. a new article ; a hint 
I vy, n. the name of a plant 
Jai ler, n. the keeper of a pri- 
son 
Jews harp, n. a sort of musi- 
cal instrument 
Jw cy, a. moist, full of juice 
Ju ry, n. persons sworn to de- 
liver truth on such evi- 
dence as shall be given be- 
fore them 
Keep er, n. one who keeps, 

one who guards 
Kind ness,n.benevolence,love 
2£na vish, a. dishonest, wicked 
Knowing, a. skilful, intelli- 
gent [work 
La hour, n. work, toil ; v. to 
La die, ?i. a large spoon,vessel 
La dy, n. a female title of 

honour ; a woman 
Lame ness, n. the state of a 

cripple 
Late ly, ad. not long ago 
La tent, a. secret, hidden 
La va, n. matter which issues 

from volcanoes 
La zy, a. unwilling to work 
Lea der,n. a conductor, com- 
mander 
Leaf less, a. without leaves 
Lea ky, a. open, not close 
Lea vings, n. things lefi, rem- 
nant 
Le gal, a. according to law 
Li ar, ». one who tells false- 
hoods 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER, 



61 



Li bel ? ?t. a defamatory writing 
Li cense, 7^.permission,liberty 
Life less, a. dead, inanimate 
Life time, n. the duration of 

life 
Light house, n. a building with 

lights to direct seamen 
luxght ning, n. the flash that 

precedes thunder 
Li ken, v. to make like, com- 
pare, resemble 
Like ness, n. a resemblance 
Like wise, ad. in like manner 
Lime kiln, n. a kiln for burn- 
ing limestones 
Lime stone, n. the stone of 

which lime is made 
Li ning, ?2. the inner covering 

of any thing 
Li on,w. a bold strong animal 
Live ly, a. brisk, gay, cheerful 
Li vre, n. a French coin 
Load stone, n. a stone having 

an attractive power 
Loath ful, a. odious, abhorred 
LoaTH some, a. detestable, 
abhorred [place 

Lo cal, a. being of or in a 
Lo cust, n. a devouring insect 
Lone some, a. solitary, dismal 
Low land, n. a marsh ; low 

part of a country 
Lowly, a. humble, meek 
Lu cid, a. bright, clear 
Lu ere, n. profit, gain 
Lu nar, a. relating to the 

moon 
Lu rid, a. gloomy, dismal 
Main mast, n. the chief or 

middle mast of a ship 
Ma jor, n. an officer above a 
captain ; a. greater in num- 
ber, quantity, or extent 



Ma ker, n. one who makes 

any thing ; the Creator 
Man ger, n. a wooden trough 

for animals to eat out of 
Ma S0n, n. one who works in 
stone or brick ; a member 
of the fraternity of Free- 
masons 
May or, n. the chief magis- 
trate of a corporation 
Mea ger, [g hard] a. weak, 

lean 
Mea ning, n. intention, design 
Mea sles, n. a disease 
Meek ly, ad. mildly, gently 
Meek ness, n. mildness 
Meet ing, n. an assembly 
Mere ly, ad. simply, only 
Mighty, a. powerful, strong 
Mild ly, ad. tenderly, kindly 
Mild ness, n. gentleness, soft- 
ness 
Mi nor, n. one under age ; a. 

petty, less 
Mo ment, n. importance, val- 
ue; an indivisible part of 
time [part 

Most ly, ad. for the greatest 
Mo tion, n. the act of moving 
Mo tive, n. that which incites 
to action [mould 

Mowl dy, a. covered with 
Mowrn er, n. one that mourns 
Mowrn ful, a. sad, sorrowful 
Mowrn ing, n. grief, lamenta- 
tion ; a dress of sorrow 
Mu sick, n. harmony ; the 

science of sounds 
Name ly, ad. particularly, to 

wit, that is to say 
Na tion, n. bedy of people 
united under one prince or 
government 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Na live, n. one born in any 

place ; a. natural, real 
Na ture, [t like tsh] ?i, the na- 
tive state of any thing ; dis- 
position ; compass of natu- 
ral existence ; state or sys- 
tem of the world 
Na val, a. relating to ships 
Na vy, n. a fleet of ships of war 
Near ly, ad, closely ; at hand 
Near ness, n. closeness ; alli- 
ance of blood or affection 
Neat ly, ad. elegantly, cleanly 
Neat ness, n. elegance 
Nee die, w. a small instrument 

for sewing 
Need less, a. unnecessary 
Nee dy, a. poor, necessitous 



Ne gro, n. a black man, an 

African 
Nei THer, conj. not either 
Neu ter, a. indifferent, not en- 
gaged on either side 
Neu tral, a. being of neither 
party [ness 

New ness, n. freshness, late- 
Nine ty, a. nine times ten 
No ble, a. illustrious, great 
Nose gay ,rc.a bunch of flowers 
No tice, n. information 
No tion, n. opinion, sentiment 
No where, ad. not in any place 
Nm sance, n. something nox- 
ious or offensive 
O cean, [o shun]n. the largest 
body of water on the globe 



SECTION XXIIL 

Description of the Sloth. 

The Sloth which is an animal of South America, 
makes the most despicable appearance of all the animal 
race. It is covered with coarse hair, somewhat resem- 
bling dried grass ; and its eyes are dull and heavy. 

It has four short feet, which are armed with strong 
claws ; but though the ieet are short, the legs are still 
shorter, and proceed from the body in such an oblique 
direction, that the soles of the feet seldom touch the 
ground. 

This poor creature seldom changes his position but 
by constraint, and when impelled by the severe calls of 
hunger ; and then it moves only one leg at a time, by 
scraping on the back of the claws along the surface, 
and wheeling the limbs circularly about, yet still touch- 
ing the ground, till at length it places its foot in a pro- 
gressive position. 

The other three limbs are brought about with the 
same difficulty, before the animal is capable of moving 
his body ; and in a manner so extremely slow, that, ac- 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER. 63 

cording to Goldsmith's account, it has been seen to ad- 
vance not more than three feet in an hour ; and that a 
few paces are often the journey of a week. 

It lives upon the leaves, fruit, and flowers of trees ; 
and sometimes on the bark itself, when nothing else is 
left upon the tree for its subsistence. It requires a large 
share of food for its support ; and therefore it generally 
strips a tree of all its verdure, before it is willing to 
eave it. 

Although this animal is formed for climbing a tree 
with^great pain and difficulty, yet it is utterly unable to 
descend like other animals ; but is obliged, when it has 
stripped the tree of every thing that could serve it for 
food, to drop like a lifeless mass from the branches to 
the ground. 

After remaining some time in a torpid state, from the 
shock received by the fall, it again prepares for a jour- 
ney to some neighbouring tree not far distant, to which 
it crawls so slowly, that one can scarcely perceive it 
move ; and often baits on vegetables by the way. 

All motions which it makes, seem to torture it ; every 
step it takes, it sends forth a plaintive, melancholy cry, 
which seems its chief defence ; few quadrupeds appear 
willing to interrupt its progress, either because its flesh 
is offensive, or they are terrified at its cries. 

When at length they reach their destined tree, they 
mount it witfi much greater ease than when they moved 
upon the plain. They fall to with famished appetite, and, 
as before, destroy the very source that supplies them. 

As it finds so great a difficulty in procuring its food, 
it is often obliged to go several days without any sup- 
ply ; and we are informed that one remained suspended 
to a pole across two beams, without any sustenance, for 
forty days. 

This strange creature, which appears to live a very 
wretched life, may serve as a just emblem of the sloth- 
ful, who spend their time in doing nothing, or that which 
is worse than nothing ; while they ought to be improv- 
ing their minds in virtue, and endeavouring for those 
comforts which render mankind happy. 



64 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

SECTION XXIV. 

The Sluggard. - 

'Tis the voice of the Sluggard — I hear him complain, 
i You have wak'd me too soon, I must slumber again.' 
As the door on its hinges, so he on his bed, 
Turns his sides and his shoulders, and his heavy head. 

A e little more sleep, and a little more slumber ;' 

Thus he wastes half his days, pnd his hours without numbers 

And when he gets up, he sits folding his hands, 

Or walks about sauntering, or idle he stands. 

I pass'd by his garden, and saw the wild brier, 
The thorn, and the thistle, grow broader and higher. 
The clothes that hang on him are turning to rags ; 
And his money still wastes, till he starves or he begs. 

I made him a visit, still hoping to find 

He had taken more care in improving his mind ; 

He told me his dreams, talk'd of eating and drinking; 

But he scarce reads the Bible, and never loves thinking, 

I then said to my heart, c Here's a lesson for me ; 
That man's but a picture of what I might be : 
But thanks to my friends for their care in my breeding, 
Who taught me betimes to love working and reading.' 



SECTION XXV. 

On Early Rising. 

How foolish they who lengthen night, 
And slumber in the morning light ! 
How sweet at early morning's rise, 
To view the glories of the skies ! 

The sprightly lark, with artless lay, 
Proclaims the entrance of the day. 
Its fairest form then nature wears, 
And clad in brightest green appears. 

How sweet to breathe the gale's perfume, 
And feast the eyes with nature's bloom ! 
Along the dewy lawn to rove, 
And hear the inusick of the grove ! 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER. 



65 



Nor you, ye delicate and fair, 
Neglect to take the morning air. 
This will your nerves with vigour brace, 
Improve and heighten every grace. 

Twill give your breath a rich perfume , 
Add to your cheeks a fairer bloom ; 
With lustre teach y our eyes to glow, 
And health and cheerfulness bestow. 



SECTION XXVI. 



Words of two syllables, 

1 

O dour, n. scent, fragrance 

O men, n. a sign, prognostick 

On ly, a. single ; ad. simply, 
singly 

O pen, a. unshut ; v. to un- 
close, divide 

O ral, a. delivered by mouth 

O ver, pr. and ad. above, 
across, more, upon 

Ow ner, n. one to whom a 
thing belongs 

Pa gan, n. a heathen [tive 

Pain ful, a. full of pain, afflic- 

Pain ting, n. the art of laying 
on colours ; a picture 

Pale ness, n. wanness, white- 
ness 

Pa per, n. a substance on 
which men write and print 

Pa pist, n. one who adheres to 
popery 

Pa rent, n. a father or mother 

Paste boards n. a thick kind 
of paper 

Pa tience, n. calmness of 
mind, endurance 

Pa tient, a. resigned, calm 
under pain or affliction 

Pa tron, n. supporter, defen- 
der, advocate 

6* 



accented on the first ; Continued. 

1 



Pave ment, n. a paved way* 

a stone or brick floor 
Pay ment, n. the act of paying 
Peace ful, a, quiet, mild [ded 
Pee vish, a. cross, easily offen- 
Feo pie, 7i. persons in gener- 
al ; a nation ; v. to stock 
with inhabitants 
Pi lot, n. one who steers a ship 
Pi 0us, a. religious, devout 
Pi rate, n. a sea-robber 
Plazn ness, n. flatness, sim- 
plicity 
Plain tiff, n. one who com- 
mences a suit in law 
Plam tive, a. complaining 
Play er, n. one who plays 
Play ful, a. sportive, gay 
Play house, n. a house used 

for acting plays in 
Play thing, n. a toy, trifle 
Pli ant, a. flexile, bending 
Plu mage , n. feathers [one 
Plu ral ,«. implying more than 
Po em, n. a composition in 

verse 
Po et, n. a writer of poems ; 

a composer of verses 
Po ny, n. a small horse 
Port ly, ad. bulky, majestical 



66 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Por ter, n. one who has the 
j charge of a gate ; a kind 
f of strong beer 
Post age, n. money paid for the 

coveyance of letters, &c. 
Post script, n. a paragraph ad- 
ded to the end of a letter 
Po tent, a. powerful 
Pray er, n. a petition, request 
Preach er, n. one who preach- 
es ; a minister 
Pre cept, n. a command, in- 
struction, rule 
Priest craft, n. religious fraud 
Priest hood, n. the office and 

character of a priest 
Pri or, a. former, going be- 
fore 
Pri vate, a. secret, alone 
Pro noun, n. a word used in 

the place of a noun 
Pu ny, a. young, small, petty 
Pu pil, n. a scholar 
Pure ly, ad. in a pure manner 
Pu trid, a. rotten, corrupt 
Que ry, «. a question, inquiry 
Qui et, a. still, peaceable 
Quo tient, n. the number pro- 
duced by division 
Rai meat, n. dress, clothes 
Rai ny, a. showery, wet 
Ra ven, n. a fowl 
Ra zor, n. a tool used in sha- 
ving 
Read er, n. one who reads 
Read ing, n. study, perusal 

of books 
Re al, a. true, genuine 
Rea son, n. the faculty of 
thinking ; a cause ; propri- 
ety ; v. to argue rationally 
Re cent, a. new, late 
He gal, a. royal, kingly 



Re gent,, n. a governour, a 

deputed ruler 
Re gion, n. a country, a tract 

of land 
Re tail, w. sale by small quan- 
tities 
Ri ot, n. an uproar, sedition 
Ri pen, v. to grow ripe 
Ri val, n. a competitor 
Ro gwish, a. knavish 
Sa cred, a. holy, consecrated 
Safe ly, ad. in a safe manner 
Safe ty, n. freedom from dan- 
ger or hurt 
Sai lor, n. a seaman 
Sav lour, n. the Redeemer ; 

he who saves 
Sa vour, n. scent, odour 
Say ing, n. an expression, 

proverb, maxim 
Sci ence, n. knowledge, learn* 

ing, skill, art 
Sea man, n. a sailor, mariner 
Sea son, n. one fourth part of 
a year ; v. to give a relish to 
Se quel, n. succeeding part, 
conclusion [heat 

Sha dy, a. secure from light or 
Shame ful, a. disgraceful 
Shame less, a. impudent 
Shoul der, n. the joint which 
connects the arm to the body 
Sign post, n. the post on 

which a sign hangs 
Si lenci, n. stillness, secrecy 
Si lent, a. still, mute 
Sla vish, a. servile, mean 
Sloth ful, a. lazy, sluggish 
Slow ly, ad. not speedily,tar- 
dily [smoke 

Smo ky, a. emitting or full of 
Snow drop, n. an early flower 
So ber, a. serious, calm 



THE AMERICAN 

1 

So fa, n. a splendid seat cov- 
ered 
So lar, a. relating to the sun 
Sol dier,[sol jur] w. a warr- 
iour; a man engaged in 
military service 
Spa cious, a. wide, extensive 
Spe cie$, n. a sort, class of 

nature 
Speech less, a. mute, dumb 
Spi der, n. the insect, that 
spins webs [plant 

Spike nard, 72. the name of a 
Spite ful, a. malicious, cross 
SprigAt ly,a. gay, brisk, lively 
States man, n. one employed 
in publick affairs 5 one vers- 
ed in the arts of government 
Sta tion, n. situation ; v. to 

fix in a certain place 
Steel yard, n. a kind of bal- 
ance for weighing 
Stee pie, n. the turret or spire 

of a church 
Stew ard, n. one who mana- 
ges the affairs of another 
Sto ry, n. a narrative, history 
Stran ger,«. one unacquainted 
Stu dent, n. a scholar, learner 
Stu pid, a. dull, heavy [ly 
Sure ly,[s like sYijad. certain- 
Sure ty,[s like sh] n. security, 

certainty 
Sweet meat, n. fruits preserv- 
ed with sugar 
Tai lor, n. one who makes 

clothes 
Teach er, n. an instructor ; a 

preacher 
Ti tie, n. an appellation ; 
name of honour ; claim of 
right 
To ken 5 n. a sign, mark 



INSTRUCTED 67 

1 
Trai tor, n. one who betrays 

his trust 
Trea ty, n. negotiation" ; con- 
tract of parties [tatioi^ 
Tri al, n. examination ; temp- 
Tri umph, n. joy or pomp fop 
success ; conquest ; v. to 
rejoice for victory 
Tues day, n. the third day of 

the week 
Tu lip, n. the name of a flower 
Tu tor, n. one who instructs ? 

a preceptor 
Twi light, n. the dubious light 
before sunrise, and after 
sunset ; a. obscure, dusky 
Ty rant, n. a cruel despotick 

ruler ; a severe master 

Ty ro, rc.one in his rudiments^ 

a beginner, student [nien^ 

Use ful, a. serviceable, conve- 

Use less, a. answering no 

purpose 
V'a cant, a. empty, free 
Vi al, n. a small bottle 
Vice roy, n. the agent or sub- 
stitute of a king 
Vi ol, n. a stringed instru- 
ment of musick [vice 
Wa ges, n. pay given for ser- 
W?A ter, n. an attendant 
Ware house, n. a storehouse 
for merchandise [ish 
Waste ful, a. destructive, lav- 
2 

Ab sence, n. being absent 
Ab sent, a. not present 
Ab stract, n. an abridgment 
Ac cent, n. manner of pro- 
nunciation 
Ac id,[c like s] a. sour, sharp 
Ac tion, n. a thing done 
Ac tive, a. quick, nimble 
Ac tor, n. he that- performs 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Ac tress, n. she that performs 
Ad der, w. a serpent, viper 
Af ter, pr. in pursuit of; be- 
hind p 
Al um,«. mineral salt 
Am pie, a. large, wide 
Ash es, n. the remains of any 
thing burnt [lungs 
AstA ma, n. a disease of the 
At las, n. a collection of maps 
Ax is, n. the line on which any 
thing turns [my 
Bag gag€,w. utensils of an ar- 
Ban ish,v.to condemn to leave 
one's own country, to drive 
away 
Ban ner, n. a flag, standard 
Ban quet, n. a feast 
Bar rel, n. a round wooden 
vessel ; the hollow tube of 
a gun 
Bar ren, a, unfruitful, scanty 
Bash ful, a. wanting due con- 
fidence 
Bat tie, n. a fight, combat 
Beck on, v. to make a sign 
Bed stead, n. the frame which 
supports a bed [begging 
Beg gar, n. one who lives by 
Bel low, v. to roar 
Bel lows, n. an instrument to 
blow the fire [ness 
Bet ter, a. superiour in good- 
Bil low,7i.a large roaring wave 
Bis cwit, n. hard dry bread 
Bish op, n. one of the head or- 
der of the clergy 
Black smith,w. one Vlio works 
in iron [for a bed 
Blank et, n. a woollen cover 
Bles sing, n. divine favour 
Blun der, n. a mistake 
Brackish, a. somewhat salt 



Bram ble, n. a prickly shrub • 
Bran dy, n. a strong distilled 

liquor 
Break fast, n. the first meal 

in the day 
Brit tie, a. apt to break, weak 
Buc ket, n. a vessel to carry 

or fetch water in 
Bzdld ing, n. a house, fabrick 
Bun die, ft. a number of things 

bound together [en 

Bur nish, v. to polish, bright- 
Bus tie, n. hurry, tumult 
But ter, n. food made from 

cream 
Cab in, n. a room in a ship 
Cam el, n. a beast of burden 
Can did, a. fair, open, honest 
Can dour, n. purity of mind 
Cap tain, n. the commander 

of a company or ship 
Cap tive, n > a prisoner [iour 
Car riage,rc. a vehicle ; behav- 
Car rot, n. a garden root 
Car ry, v. to bear, convey 
Cas tie, n. a house fortified 
Cat tie, n. beasts of pasture 
Cav ern, n. a hollow place in 

the ground [centra 

Cen tral, a. relating to the 
Cen tre, n. the middle 
dial lenge, n. a summons to 

fight 
Chand ler, n. a person who 

deals in candles [stream 
Chan nel, n. course for a 
Chap el, n. a place of worshi p 
Chap ter,ra. a division of a book 
Cher ish, v. to support, nurse 
Cher ry, n. a kind of fruit 
Cher ub, n. a celestial spirit 
Chick en,w.the young of a hen 
Chil ly, a. somewhat cold 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 69 

SECTION XXVII. 

An Address to Parents. 

The word Parent, is of solemn import ; and the rea- 
son is, there is a sacred trust implied in it. To be a 
parent, is to be a guardian of more souls than one. 

All the children which God hath given to parents, he 
hath put under their care to devote them to himself ; " To 
bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." 

Consider, you who are parents, the importance of 
your trust ; train up the tender offspring committed to 
your care, in morality and virtue. 

Upon you it depends whether the child of your bo- 
som, shall be a blessing, or a curse to yourselves ; a 
useful, or a worthless member to the community. 

Prepare him early with instruction, and season his 
mind with the maxims of truth. Watch the bent of his. 
inclination, set him right in his youth, and let no evil 
habit gain strength with his years. 

Be reasonable in your commands, if you expect a 
ready obedience. Severity and rigour may create fear> 
but can never command his love. 

Mix kindness with reproof, and reason with authority ; 
so shall your admonitions take place in his heart, and 
his duty shall become his pleasure. 

Then shall he rise like a cedar on the mountains ; 
his head shall be seen above the trees of the forest. — 
The soil is your own, let it not want cultivation ; the 
seed which you sow, that also shall you reap. 

Teach him obedience, and he shall bless you ; teach 
him modesty, and he shall not be ashamed. Teach 
him gratitude, and he shall receive benefits ; teach him 
charity, and he shall gain love. 

Teach him temperance, and he shall have health ; 
teach him prudence, and fortune shall attend him. Teach 
him justice, and he shall be honoured by the world ; teach 
him sincerity, and his own heart shall not reproach him. 

Teach him diligence, and his wealth shall increase ; 
teach him benevolence, and his mind shall be exalted. 
Teach him science, and his life shall be useful ; teach 
him religion, and his death shall be happy. 



70 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER* 

SECTION XXVIII. 

Rich and Poor, 

The man to whom God hath given riches, and blessed 
with a mind to employ them aright, is peculiarly favour- 
ed, and highly distinguished. He looks on his wealth 
with pleasure, because it affords him the means to do good. 

He protects the poor that are injured, and suffers not 
the mighty to oppress the weak. He seeks out objects 
of compassion, and inquires into their wants ; he re- 
lieves them with judgement, and without ostentation. 

He assists and rewards merit ; he encourages inge- 
nuity, and liberally promotes every useful design. He 
employs the labourer, he forms new schemes, and the 
arts receive improvement. 

He considers the superfluities of his table as belong- 
ing to the poor of his neighbourhood, and he defrauds 
them not. The benevolence of his mind is not checked 
by his fortune ; he rejoices therefore in riches, and his 
joy is blameless. 

But wo unto him that heaps up wealth in abundance, 
and rejoices alone in the possession thereof; that grinds 
the face v of the poor, and considers not the sweat of 
their brow. He thrives on oppression without feeling ; 
the ruin of his brother disturbs him not. 

He regards not the tears of the orphan, nor the cries 
of the widow : his heart is hardened with the love of 
wealth ; no grief nor distress can make any impression 
upon it. , 

But the curse of iniquity pursues him : he lives in 
continual fear ; the anxiety of his mind, and the rapa- 
cious desires of his own soul, take vengeance upon him, 
for the calamities he has brought upon others. Oh ! 
what are the miseries of poverty, in comparison with 
the gnawings of this man's heart ! 

Let the poor man comfort himself, yea, rejoice ; for 
he hath many reasons. He sits down to his morsel in 
peace ; his table is not crowded with flatterers and de- 
vourers. He is not embarrassed with a train of depen- 
dants, nor teased with the clamours of solicitation. 

Debarred from the dainties of the rich, he also escapes 



THE AMERICAN IN$TRUCTER. 71 

their diseases. The bread that he eats, is sweet to his 
taste ; the water he drinks, is pleasant to his thirst ; 
yea, far more delicious than the richest draughts of the 
luxurious. 

His labour preserves his health, and procures him a 
repose, to which the downy bed of sloth is a stranger. 
He limits his desires with humility ; and the calm of 
contentment is sweeter to his soul, than the acquire- 
ments of wealth and -grandeur. 

Let not the rich, therefore, presume on his riches, 
nor the poor despond in his poverty ; for the providence 
of God dispenses happiness to them both, and the dis- 
tribution thereof is more equally made, than is gen- 
erally imagined. 

SECTION XXIX. 

Select Sentences. 

A WISE man will desire no more than what he "may 
get justly, use soberly, distribute cheerfully, and live 
upon contentedly. 

Beauty, as a flowery blossom, soon fades ; but the di- 
vine excellences of the mind, like the medicinal virtues 
of a plant, remain in it when all those charms are with- 
ered. 

It is more difficult to repair a credit that Is once sha- 
ken, than to keep in a flourishing condition ttiat which 
was never blasted. t 

If the mind is well cultivated, it produces a store of 
fruit ; if neglected, it is overrun with weeds. 

Let no man be confident of his own merit ; for the 
best sometimes err. Let no man rely too much upon his 
own judgement ; for the wisest are sometimes deceived. 

Men love to act from their own judgement, and are 
always most inclined to those that are of the same opin- 
ion with themselves. 

The higher character a person supports, the more 
he should regard his minutest actions. 

We are all surrounded and beset with evils ; and as 
they cannot be avoided, the mind ought to be prepared 
to encounter them. 



7& THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

Let not your expectations from the years that are to 
come, rise too high; and your disappointments will be 
fewer, and more easily supported* 

Moderation, vigilance, and self-government, are du- 
ties incumbent on all ; but especially on such as are be- 
ginning the journey of life. 

Be not proud of the gracefulness^ strength and beau- 
ty of thy body, which a little sickness can weaken and 
deform. 

Never insult the unfortunate, especially when they 
implore relief or assistance. If you cannot grant their 
requests, refuse them mildly and tenderly. 

Pity the sorrows and sufferings of the poor ; disdain 
not to enter their wretched abodes, nor to listen to their 
moving lamentations. 

While Messed with health and prosperity, cultivate a 
humble and compassionate disposition : think of the dis- 
tresses of human life, of the solitary cottage, the dying 
parent, and the weeping orphan. 

If we ought to be grateful for services received from 
our friends, how should our hearts glow with thankful- 
ness to him who has given us being, and all the blessings 
we enjoy ! 

A contented mind, and a good conscience, will make 
a man happy in all conditions. 

The temperate man's pleasures are durable, because 
they are regular ; and his life calm and serene, because 
it is innocent. > 

True cheerfulness makes a man happy in himself, 
and promotes the happiness of all around him. It is 
the clear and calm sunshine of a mind illuminated by 
piety and virtue. 

Out of your acquaintance, choose familiars : and out 
of your familiars, select friends. 

Among all human enjoyments, nothing is so rare, 
so valuable, and so necessary, as a true friend. 

A true friend is a great comfort in solitude, an excel- 
lent assistant in business, and the best protection against 
injuries : he is a counsellor in difficulties, and a sano 
tuary in distress, , 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



7$ 



SECTION XXX. 

Words of two syllables, accented on the first ; Continued, 



Chim net/, ft. a passage for 

smoke 
Cis tern, ft. a vessel to hold 

water 
Cit y, ft. an incorporated town 
Civ il, «. complaisant, well 

bred 
Clam our, n. outcry, noise 
Ctat ter, v m to make a confus- 
ed noise 
Cler gy, ft. the whole order 

or body of divines 
Clum sy, a. unhandy 
Clus ter, ft. a bunch, heap 
Cour age, ft. bravery, valour 
Cred it, ft. reputation, belief 
Crim son, ft. deep red colour 
Crip pie, ft. a lame person 
Crit ick, n. one skilled in 

criticism 
Cun ning, a. skilful, crafty 
Cur tain, w. furniture of a bed 

or window 
Damp ness, ft. moisture 
Daz zle, v. to overpower with 

light [tal 

Dead ly, a. destructive, mor- 
De5t or, ft. one who is in debt 
Desert, ft. a wilderness; a. 

wild, waste 
Die tion, ft. style, expression 
Dif fer, v. to be unlike ; to 

disagree 
Dim ness, ft. dullness of sight 
Dis cord, ft. disagreement 
Dis count, n. an allowance, 

drawback {spinning 

Distaff, n. a staff used in 
Dis trict, iu circuit, territory 
Dit ty, n. a song, poem 
7 



Diz zy, «. giddy, thoughtless 
Doub le, a, twofold, twice as 
much [ful 

Dread ful, a. terrible, frrght- 
Dun geon, ft. a dark close 

prison 
Dus ty, a. clouded with dust 
Dwel ling, ft. a habitation 
EcA o, ft. a sound returned 
Effort, ft. attempt, exertion 
Em blem, ft. a representation; 

allusive picture 
Em pire, ft. the region over 
which dominion is extend- 
ed ; imperial power 
Emp ty, a. not full, void 
End less, «. without end* 
En gine, n. a machine ; agent 
En glish, [e like i] a. relating 
to the country, people, or 
language of England 
En trance, ft. passage 
En vy, ft. vexation at anoth- 
er's good 
Er roiuyn. a mistake, blunder 
Es say, ft. attempt,experiment 
Eth icks, ft. the doctrine of 
morality [away 

Ex it, ri. departure, a going 
Ex tant, a. now in being ; 
standing out to view [ed 
Ex tract, n. substance extract- 
Fac tion, w. discord, a party 
Fac tious, a, given to faction 
•Fam ine, ft. scarcity of food 
Fan cy, w. imagination, whim 
Fash ion, n. custom, form 
Fat ten, v. to make or grow 

fleshy 
FeaTH er,n.the plume of birds 



74 



THE AMERICAN INSTRTJCTER. 



Fel on, n. one guilty of a cap- 
ital crime 
Fer ry, n. a place for passing 

a river or lake 
Fer tile, a, fruitful 
Fer vent, a. ardent, vehement 
Fie kle, a. changeable, un- 
steady 
Fie tion, n. a story invented, 

device, falsehood 
Fid die, n. a musical instru- 
ment [tyP e 
Fig ure, n. a number ; shape ; 
Fin ger, [g hard] n. part of 

the hand 
Fin ish, v. to end [bleness 
Fit ness,'tt. propriety, suita- 
Flan nel, n. a kind of woollen 
cloth [ness 

Flat ness, n. evenness ; dul- 
Flat ten, v. to make flat 
Flat ter, v. to praise falsely 
Flex ile, a. pliant, easily bent 
Flim sy, a. weak, thin 
Flip pant, a. pert, talkative 
Flour ish, v. to thrive, adorn 
Frag ment, n. a part, a bro- 
ken or imperfect piece 
Frank ly, ad. freely, readily 
Frank ness, n. plainness of 

speech, openness 
Fran tick, a. mad, distracted 
Free kle, n. a spot on the skin 
Fresh ness, n. newness 
Fret ful, a. peevish, angry 
Friend less, a. without friends 
Fnend ly, a. kind [ness 

Fnend ship, n. favour, kind- 
Frig ate, n. a small ship of war 
Fum ble, v. to do any thing 

awkwardly 
Fur long, n. the eighth part 
of a mile 



Fur lough, n. leave given for 

absence from duty 
Fur nish, v. to supply, equip 
Fur row, n. a trench made by 

a plough 
Gal lant, a. gay, brave, bold 
Gal Ion, n. four quarts 
Gam bler, n. a gamester 
Gan der, n. the male of the 

goose 
Gar ret, n. the uppermost 
room in a dwelling [ble 
GaTH er, v. to collect, assem- 
Gen tie, a. tame, mild, meek 
Gen try, n. a class of people 

above the vulgar 
Ges ture, [t like tsh] n. ac- 
tion, motion, posture 
Gib bet, n. a gallows to ex- 
pose criminals 
Gid dy, [g hard] a. heedless 
GiJ ding, [g hard] n. gold or 
silver laid on for ornament 
Gim let, [g hard] n. an instru- 
ment to bore with 
Gin gle, v. to make a sharp 
clattering noise [fully 

Glad ly, ad. joyfully, cheer- 
Glad ness, ft. exultation, joy 
Glim mer, v. to shine faintly 
Gram mar, n. the science of 
speaking or writing cor- 
rectly 
Grap pie, v. to fasten, grasp 
Gras sy, a. covered with grass 
Grav el, n. coarse hard sand 
Grid die, n. a pan to bake 

cakes in 
Grim ness, n. ^rightfulness of 

countenance 
Grum ble, v. to murmur 
Gwilt less, a. innocent [ed 
Gwil ty, a. not innocent, wick* 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER. 



75 



Gum ea, n. a gold coin 
Gun smith, w. one who makes 

guns 
Gus set, ?i. part of a garment 
Gut ter, n. a passage for water 
Hab it, n. customary use ? state 

of any thing, dress 
Had dock, ?i. a sea-fish 
Hag gle, v. to mangle 
Hal low?, v. to consecrate 
Ham let, n. a small village 
Ham mer, n. an instrument to 

drive nails 
Han dy, a. ready, skilful 
Hap pen,#. to come to pass 
Hap py, a. blessed, pleased 
Har row T n. an instrument of 

husbandry 
Ha^ch et, ». a small axe 
Hat ter, n. a maker of hats 
Haz ard, n, danger, chance 
Head stall, n. part of a bridle 
Health y,a.free from sickness 
Heav y, a. weighty ; drowsy 
Hetf er, ?i. a young cow 
Hei met, n. armour for the 

head 
Help er, n. an assistant 
Help less, a. destitute of help; 

wanting power or assistance 
Hence forth, ad. from this 

time forward 
Her bage, n. herbs, grass, 

pasture [person 

Her mit, w. a solitary devout 
Her ring, n. a small sea-fish 
Hin der, v. to prevent, stop 
Hith er, ad. to this place 
Hud die, v. to crowd together 

in a confused manner 
Hun dred, a. ten times ten 
Hun ger, [g hard] n. a desire 

of food 



Hun gry ? a. feeling pain for 

want of food [animals 

Hun ter, n. one who chases 

Hur ry, n. hasie, bustle ; v. 

to hasten 
Hurt ful, a. injurious 
Hus band, n. a married man 
Hus #e, v. to shake together 
IB? ness, n. sickness 
Im pulse, w n communicated 

force, motion, idea 
In come, n. revenue, rent 
In cense, n. a perfume offered 

to some deity 
In dex, ?z.thc table of contents 
toabook; a mark thus ((£?*) 
In fant, n. a young child 
In got, n. a mass of metal 
In jure, v. to annoy, to hurt 
unjustly [ink 

Ink stand, n. a vessel to hold 
In let, n. a passage, entrance 
In most, a. deepest within, re- 
motest 
In ner, a. interiour 
In quest, n. judicial inquiry 
In road, n. sudden invasion 
In sect, n. a small creeping or 

flying animal 
In side, n. the interiour part 
In sight, n. an inspection, 

view, knowledge 
In stance, n. example 
In stant, n. the present mo- 
ment or month ; a moment 
In step, n. the upper part of 

the foot 
In stinct, n. a natural desire 

or aversion 
In suit, n. insolence, abuse 
In to, pr. noting entrance 
In voice, n. a bill or list of 
! goods with the price annexed 



76 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Is su«,[ish shu]n. termination, 

end ; v. to come or send out 
Ist^ mus r ft. a neck of land 

joining larger portions of 

land 
.Tab ber, .v. to talk idly 
Jac ket, ft. a waistcoat ; a 

kind of short close coat 
Je«l ous, a. suspicious [noise 
Jin gie, v. to make a rattling 
Jour nal, ft. a diary ^ book, 

newspaper 
Jour ney, n. a passage from 

one place to another 
Jug gle, v. to play tricks by 

sleight of hand 
Jus tice, ft. equity, right ; an 

officer [ly 

Just ly, ad. uprightly, honest- 
Ket tie, ft. a kitchen vessel to 

boil things in 
Kid nap, v. to steal persons 
Kin die, v. to set on fire 
Kin dred, ft. relation 
King dom, n. the dominion of 

a king 
King ly, a. royal, noble 
Kitfch en, ft. a room where 

provisions are cooked 
Kit ten, w. a young cat 
Lad der,ft. a frame made with 

steps for climbing 
Lan cet, n. a surgical instru- 
ment to let blood 
Land lord, ft. the master of 

an inn ; an owner of land 

or houses 
Land tax, ft. a tax put upon 

land and houses 
•Lan guage, ». human speech 
Lan guid, a. faint, weak 
Lan guish, v. to grow feeble 
Lan guor, n. faintness 



Lan tern,w.a case for a candle 
Lap dog, ft. a little dog for 

the lap 
Last ly, ad. in the last place 
LaTH er, ft. froth of soap and 

water 
Lat ter, a. the last of two 
Lav ish, a. wasteful 
Lear ning, ra. erudition, skill 
in any thing [ing any thing 
Lear ner, w. one who is learn* 
LeaTH er, ft. the hide of an 

animal dressed 
Lee ture,[t like tsh] n. a dis- 
course on any subject 
Lem on^ft. the name of a fruit 
Leng then, v. to make longer 
Leop ard,ft. a beast of prey 
Les sen, v. to diminish 
Les son ; n* a task to learn or 

read 
Les sor, ft. one who grants a 

lease to another 
Let ter, ». one of the charac- 
ters of the alphabet; a writ- 
ten message 
Lev el, a. even 
Lev y, v. to raise, impose 
Lil y, ft. a beautiful flower 
Lim ber, a. easily bent, pliant 
Lim it> n. a bound, border ? 
v. to confine within bounds 
Linch pin, w, an iron pin to 
keep a wheel on the axletree 
Lin en, w. cloth made of flax 
Lin ger,[g hard] v. to loiter 
Lin guist, n. a person skilled 

in languages 
Lin net, ».a small singing bird 
Liq uid, w. a fluid substance 
Liq wor, n. strong drink ; a 

liquid 
Lit tie, a. small, diminutive 



THE~AMEBICAN INSTRUCTED 77 



2 

Liv ing, n. maintenance, sup- 
port [animal 
Liz ard, n. a small creeping 
Lub ber, n. a lazy clumsy 
fellow [nate 
Luc ky, a. successful, fortu- 
Lug gage, n. any thing cum- 
bersome or heavy 
Lum ber, n. useless furniture ; 
timber, boards, staves, &c. 



2 

Lus cious, a. sweet, pleasing, 
rich 

Lus tre, n. brightness, gloss 

Lus ty, a. large, stout 

Mad am, n. a term of address 
to a lady 

Mad den, v. to make mad 

Mad ness, w.rage,fury,passiori 

Mag ick,[g soft] n. enchant- 
ment, dealing with spirits 



SECTION XXXI. 

The Close of Life. 

When we contemplate the close of life, the termina- 
tion of man's designs and hopes, the silence that now 
reigns among those who a little while ago were so bu- 
sy or so gay ; who can avoid being touched with sensa- 
tions at once awful and tender ? What heart but then 
warms with the glow of humanity I in whose eye doth 
not the tear gather, on revolving the fate of passing and 
short lived man ? 

Behold the poor man who lays down at last the bur- 
den of his wearisome life. No more shall he groan un- 
der the load of poverty and toil. No more shall he 
hear the insolent calls of the master, from whom he re- 
ceived his scanty wages. No more shall he be raised 
from needful slumber on his bed of straw, nor be hurried 
away from his homely meal, to undergo the repeated la- 
bours of the day. 

While his humble grave is preparing, and a few poor 
and decayed neighbours are carrying him thither, it is 
good for us to think, that this man too was our brother ;. 
that for him the aged and destitute wife, and the needy 
children now weep ; that, neglected as he was by the 
world, he possessed perhaps both a sound understand- 
ing, and a worthy heart ; and is now carried by angels 
to rest in Abraham's bosom. 

At no great distance from him, the grave is opened 
to receive the rich and proud man. For, as it is said 
with emphasis in the parable, " the rich man also died 

7* 



79 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

and was buried." He also died. His riches prevented 
not his sharing the same fate with the poor man ; per- 
haps, through luxury, they accelerated his doom. 

Then indeed, " the mourners go about the streets ; w 
and while, in all the pomp and magnificence of wo, his 
funeral is preparing, his heirs, impatient to examine his 
will, are looking one on another with jealous eyes, and 
are already beginning to dispute about the division of 
his substance. i 

One day we see carried along the coffin of the smi- 
ling infant; the flower just nipped as it began tp blos- 
som in its parent's view : and the next day we behold 
che young man, or young woman, of blooming form 
and promising hopes, laid in an untimely grave. 

While the funeral is attended by a numerous uncon- 
cerned company, who are discoursing to one another 
about the news of the day, or the ordinary affairs of 
life, let our thoughts rather follow to the house of mourn- 
ing, and represent to themselves what is passing there. 

There we should see a disconsolate family sitting in 
silent grief, thinking of the sad breach that is made in 
•heir little society ; and, with tears in their eyes, look- 
ing to the chamber that is now left vacant, and to every 
memorial that presents itself of their departed friend. 
By such attention to the woes of others, the selfish 
hardness of our hearts will be gradually softened, and 
melted down into humanity* 

Another day we follow to the grave, one who in old 
age, and after a long career of life, has, in full maturity, 
sunk at last into rest. As we are going along to the 
mansion of the dead, it is natural for us to think, and 
o discourse, of all the changes which such a person 
has seen during the course of his life. 

He has passed it is likely, through varieties of fortune. 
He has experienced prosperity and adversity. He has 
seen families and kindreds rise and fall. He has seen 
>eace and war succeed in their turns : the face of his 
country undergoing many alterations, and the very city 
n which he dwelt, rising in a manner, new around him. 

After all he has beheld, his eyes are now closed for p 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 79 

ever. He was becoming a stranger in the midst of a 
new succession of men. A race who knew him not, had 
risen to fill the earth. Thus passes the world away. 
Throughout all ranks and conditions ; "one generation 
passeth, and another generation cometh ;" and this great 
inn is by turns evacuated, and replenished by troops of 
succeeding pilgrims. 

O vain and inconstant world ! O fleeting and tran- 
sient life ! When will the sons of men learn to think of 
thee as they ought ? When will they learn humanity 
from the afflictions of their brethren ; or moderation 
and wisdom, from the sense of their own fugitive state ? 

SECTION XXXII. 

The Funeral. 
How solemn is the scene, when friends draw near, 
To pay to parted worth the fun'ral tear ! 
How precious are the sacred tears that rise, 
And flow successive from the mourner's eyes ! 

How solemn is the sight, ('tis so to me,) 
Extended in the " narrow house" to see 
The pale precursor of our certain doom, 
A silent votary for the lurid tomb ! 

No language can describe, no tongue can tell 
The heart's keen anguish at the last farewell, 
When the lid closes on the faded face, 
Where late serenely smil'd each softer grace, 

Plac'd on the sable hearse, the mournful throng, 
In sad procession, slowly move along ; 
Bow'd down with sorrow, to the grave repair, 
And leave their fellow friend to moulder there. 

Then home return : — Oh ! what a blank appears ! 
The heart then gives the few remaining tears ; 
How gloomy all, where late so sweetly smil'd 
The lovely friend, that ev'ry care beguil'd ! 

- Those who have lost what worlds cannot supply, 
Can give the sympathetick tear and sigh : 
Though friendship can a soothing balm impart, 
L 'Tis Heav'n alone can heal the mourner's heart, 



80 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER. 



SECTION XXXIIL 

The Rose. 
How fair is the rose, what a beautiful flower \ 

In Summer so fragrant and gay ! 
But the leaves are beginning to fade in an hour, 

And they wither and die in a day. 

r 

Yet the rose has one powerful virtue to boast, 

Above all the flowers of the field : 
When its leaves are all dead, and its fine colours lost, 

Still how sweet a perfume it will yield. 

So frail are the youth and the beauty of men, 
Though they bloom and look gay like the rose; 

Yet all our fond care to preserve them is vain, 
Time kills them as fast as he goes. 

Then I'll not be proud of my youth or my beauty >. 

Since both of them wither and fade ; 
But gain a good name by performing my duty ; 

This will scent like the rose when Fm dead. 



SECTION XXXIV. 

Words of' two syllables, accented on the first ; Continued. 



Mag net, n. the loadstone 
Mag pie, n. the name of a bird 
Mai ice, n. ill will, hatred 
Mai let, n. a wooden hammer 
Man age,*; .to conduct, govern 
Man date, n. a command,pre- 
cept [ing 

Man ful, a. bold, stout, dar- 
Man gle, v. to lacerate, to cut 

or tear in pieces 
Man ly, a. brave, noble 
Man ner, n. form, method 
Man ners, n. behaviour, con- 
duct 
Man sion,ra. a dwelling house, 

abode 
Man tie, n. a kind of cloak 
Man y,[a like e] a, numerous, 
several 



Mar row, w. a substance in 
bones [subject 

Mat ter, n. body, substance, 
Max im, n. a general princi- 
ple, rule 
Mead ow y n. a grass-field from 

which hay is made 
Meas ure, [s like zh] n. that 
by which any thing is meas- 
ured ; v. to compute, allot 
Med al, n. an ancient coin; 
a piece stamped in honour 
of some remarkable per* 
formance 
Mel \ow y a. softj fully ripe 
Mel on, w. a kind of fruit 
Mem ber, n. a limb, -a part 
Men tal, a. belonging to the 
mind intellectual 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER. 



si 



Men tion, v. to express in 

words or writing; n. an 

expression 

Mer chant, n. one who deals 

in merchandise [pardon 

Mer cy, ft. pity, compassion, 

Mer it, n. desert, reward ; v. 

to deserve [cheerful 

Mer ry, a. gay, laughing, 

Mes sage ft. an errand 

Mess mate, n. one who eats 

with another [body 

Metal, ft. a hard compact 

Meth od, ft. order, rule 

Mid day, n. noon 

Mid night, n. the middle of 

the night [a mill 

Mil ler, ft. one who attends 

Mil let, n. a plant ; a kind of 

fish [sand 

Mill ion, n. ten hundred thou- 

Mill stone, «. the stone by 

which grain is ground 
Mim ick, v. to imitate, ridi- 
cule ; n. one who imitates 
another 
Min gle, v. to mix, join 
Min ute, n. the sixtieth part 

of an hour 
Mir ror, n. a looking-glass 
Mis chief, ft. disturbance,harm 
Mis sion, ft. a commission, le- 
gation 
Mis tress, n. a woman who 
governs ; a woman teacher 
Mis ty, a. cloudy, damp 
Mit tens, n. covering for the 

hands 
Mud dy, a. dirty, thick 
Muf fle, v. to wrap up, to 

blindfold 
Mum ble, v. to mutter 5 to 
speak inwardly 



Mur der, n. the act of killing 
unlawfully; v. to kill un- 
lawfully [ble 
Mur mur, v. to mutter, grum- 
Mus ket, ft. a soldier's hand- 
gun 
Mus lin, n. a fine kind of cloth 
mado of cotton [seed 
Mus tard, ft. a plant and its 
Mus ty, a. mouldy, spoiled 

with damp 
Mut ter, v. to grumble 
Mut ton, n. the flesh of sheep 
Neck lace, n. an ornament 
worn by women on the neck 
Neph ew, [nev vu] n. the son 

of a brother or sister 
NeTH er, a. lower, not upper 
Net tie, ft. a stinging herb 
Nev er, ad. at no time 
Nib ble, v. to eat slowly, bite at 
Nick name, w. a name givea 

in contempt 
Nim ble, a. quick, active [ly 
Nim bly, ad. quickly, speedi- 
Num ber, n. the species of 
quantity by which it is com- 
puted how many; v. to 
count, reckon 
Num& ness, it. stupefaction, 

torpor^ deadness 
Nup tial, a. pertaining to 

marriage 
Nup tials, n. marriage 
Nur ture, [t like tsh] n. edu- 
cation ; food, diet ; v. to 
bring up, to educate 
Pac ket, n. a mail of letters ; 
a coasting vessel for pas- 
sengers 
Pad die, v. to row; to play in 

water ; n. an oar 
Pad lock, n.ji hanging lock 



THE AMERICAN TNSTRUCTE1 



Pal ace,w. a royal or splendid 

house 
Pam phlet, n. a small book 
Pan cake, n. a kind of thin 
cake baked or fried in a pan 
Par rot, n. a kind of bird 
Pas sage, ft. a clause or sen- 
tence; act of passing 
Pas sion, ft. anger, zeal, ar- 
dour, love [fering 
Pas sive, a. submissive, suf- 
Pass port, n. a permission in 

writing to pass 

Pas time, ft. amusement, sport 

s Pas tor, ft. a minister of a 

congregation ; a shepherd 

Pas ture, [t like tsh] ft. land 

on which cattle feed 
Pat ent, ft. a grant of an ex- 
clusive right [ample 
Pat tern, ft. a specimen, ex- 
Peas ant, ft. one who lives by 

rural labour 
Peb ble, ft. a sort of hard stone 
Peddle, v. to travel and re- 
tail goods 
Pen cil, n.a small brush of hair 

for drawing and painting 
Pen &nife, ft. a knife used to 

cut pens 
Pen man, ft. a writer 
Pen ny, ft. the twelfth part of 

a shilling 
Pen sion, n. a settled yearly 

allowance 
Pen sive, a. sorrowful 
Pep per, ft, a spice, plant of 

many kinds 
Per il, n. danger, hazard 
Per ish, v. to decay, die 
Per son, n. a human being, an 

individual 
]?es tor, v. to plague, disturb 



Pes tie, ft. an instrument with 
which any thing is broken 
in a mortar 
Pet tish, a. fretful, peevish 
Pet ty, a. small, trifling 
Pheas ant, ft. the name of a 

bird 
Phthis ick, ft. a consumption ; 

shortness of breath 
Pic kle, ft. a thing pickled, 

brine 
Pic ture, [t like tsh] ft. a re- 
semblance in colours 
Pig eon, [g soft] ft. a kind of 

bird 
Pil fer, v. to steal 
Pil Jage, ft. plunder ; v. to rob 
Pil lar, ft. a column, prop 
Pill ion, ft. a soft saddle, a 
cushion [head on 

Pil low, ft. a thing to lay the 
Pim pie, ft. a small red pustule 
Pin ion, v. to bind, shackle,tie 
Pis mire, ft. an ant ; emmet 
Pis tol, ft. a small hand-gun 
PiZch fork, ft. a fork to pitch 

hay with 
Fitch er, ft. an earthen vessel 
Pith y, a. consisting of pith ; 
energetick, forcible [thy 
Pit y, ft. compassion, sympa- 
Piv ot, ft. a pin on which any 

thing turns 
Plan et, ft. a star which re- 
volves round a centre in 
an orbit 
Plan tain, ft. an herb 
Plant er, ft. a farmer, one who 

cultivates 
Plas ter, ft. lime prepared to 

cover walls ; a salve 
Plat form ,n. a horizontal plane 
flat ter, w,.«a large flat dish 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



€3 



Pleas ant, a. delightful 
Pleas ure, [s like zh] n. de- 
light, gratification 
Plen ty, n. abundance 
Plum met, n. a leaden weight 
or pencil [by force 

Plun der, v. to pillage, to rob 
Prac tice, n. habitual use,rule 
Prac tise, v. to do habitually 
Prat tie, v. to talk lightly, to 

chatter 
Pre cious, a. valuable, costly 
Preface, n. an introduction 
to a book [present 

Pres ence, n. state of being 
Pres ent, a. not absent, face 

to face ; n. a gift 
Pret ty, [e like i]a. beautiful, 

neat ; ad. in some degree 
Prim er, ?t. a small book for 

children 
Prim rose, n. a flower 
Prince ly, ad. royal, grand 
Prin cess, n. the daughter of 
a king, the wife of a prince 
Print er, n. one who prints 
Pris on } ?i. a jail, place of con- 
finement 
Pub lish, v. to make known 
Pub lick, n. the body of a na- 
tion ; a. not private, open, 
common 
Pulp <?us, a. soft 
Pun ish, v. to chastise, correct 
Pup py, n. a whelp, dog 
Pur blind, a. near-sighted 
Pur chase, v. to buy, to obtain 

for a price 
Pur Heu, n. border, enclosure 
Pur pie, a. red tinctured with 

blue 
Pur port, n. design, meaning 
Pus tule,[t like tsh]n, a pimple 



Put ty, n. a kind of cement 

used by glaziers 
Puz zle, v. to perplex, embar- 
rass ; n. perplexity,a riddle 
Quick ly,<z6f.nimbly, speedily 
Quick ness, n. speed, activity 
Quick sand, n. a sinking or 
shaking sand [throat 

Quin sy, n. a disease in the 
Quiv er, m. to shake, tremble 
Rab bit, n. a small furry ani- 
mal [crowd 
Rab ble, n. a tumultuous 
Rac ket, n. a clattering noise 
Rad ish, n. the name of a root 
Raf ter, n. the roof timber of 

a house 
R^nvble, v. to wander, rove 
Ran C0ur, n. malignity ,hatred 
Ran dom, a. done by chance ; 

n. want of direction 
Ran sack,?;. to plunder, search 
Ran som, n. a price paid for 

liberty ; v. to redeem 
Rap id, a. violent, swift 
Rap ture,[t like tsh] n. ecsta- 
cy, transport [villain 

Ras cal, n. a mean fellow, 
Rash ness, n. hastiness 
RaTH er*, ad. more willingly 
Rats bane, n. arsenick, poison 
Rat tie, v. to make a noise, 

to clatter 
Rav age, v. to lay waste, spoil, 

plunder 
Read y, a. prepared, willing 
Reb el, n. one who opposes 

lawful authority 
Rec kon, v. to count,compute 
Rec ord, n. a register, authen- 

tick enrolment 
Rec tor, n. a minister of a 
parish, ruler 



b4 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Ref uge,w. shelter from danger 
Rel ish, v. to give a taste to 

any thing ; n. taste, liking 
Rem nant, n. what is left 
Rep tile, n. a creeping thing 
Res cue, v. to set free from 

danger 
Res pite, n. a reprieve, pause ; 

v. to suspend, put off 
Rest less, a. unquiet 
Rev el, v. to carouse ; n. a 

noisy feast 
Rich es, ?u wealth, money 
Rich ness, n. opulence, splen- 
dour, fertility 
Rid dle,rc.a coarse open sieve ; 

a puzzling odd question 
Rig id, [g soft] a. strict, exact 
Riv er, n. a stream or current 

of water 
Riv et,n. a kind of pin clench- 
ed at both ends ; v. to fas- 
ten with rivets 
Rub bish, n. refuse, the ruins 

of buildings 
Ruf fie, n. plaited linen used 
as an ornament ; v. to dis- 
order 
Rud der, ?i. the part that steers 
a ship [noise 

Rum ble, v. to make a hoarse 
Rus tick, a, rural, rude 
Rus ty, a. covered with rust 
Sab bath, n. a day of rest and 

worship 
Sad den, v. to make sad 
Sad die, n. a seat to put on a 
horse [choly 

Sad ness, n. sorrow, melan- 
Sal ad, n. food of raw herbs 
Sa/m on, n. a kind of fish 
Sam pie, n. a specimen 
Sand y, a. gritty, full of sand 



Sane tion, n. confirmatiottj 

ratification 
Sap ling, w. a young tree 
Sat in, n. a kind of very soft 

shining silk 
Sav age, a. wild, barbarous ; 

n. a barbarian 
Scab bard, n. a case, sheath 

of a sword 
Scan dal, n. disgrace, re- 
proachful aspersion 
Scat ter, v. to spread, disperse 
Scis sors, n. a small pair of 

shears 
Scrip ture,[t like tsh] n. the 

Bible, sacred writings 
Sec ond, n. the sixtieth part of 

a minute; a. next to the first 
Sec tion, n. a distinct part of 

a writing or book, division 
Sel dom, ad. not often, rarely 
Sel vage, w. the edge of cloth 
Sen ate, n. an assembly of 

counsellors ; a branch of 

the congress of the United 

States [stupid 

Sense less, a. void of sense. 
Sen tence,ra.a short paragraph; 

a decision ; v. to condemn 
Sen try, n. a watch, guard 
Ser aph, n. one of the orders 

of angels. 
Ser mon, rc.a pious discourse 

a lecture 
Ser pent, n. a snake [other 
Ser vant,w.one who serves an- 
Ses sion, n. the act or time 

of sitting 
Set tie, v. to adjust, fix 
Sev en, a. one more than six 
Sev er, v. to part by violence 
Sex ton, n. ag officer of the 

church 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 85 

SECTION XXXV. 

An Address to Youth. 

How pleasant is the season of youth ! Like the fine 
days in spring, it composes the prime of life, and prom- 
ises in future a rich harvest. But alas ! it passes away 
with the same rapidity, and the hopes it raises are often 
deceitful. In the moral, as in the natural world, the fi- 
nest blossoms do not always produce the fruit we had 
reason to expect. 

How must it afflict the person arrived at the maturity 
of manhood, when he casts his eyes over the days of his 
youth, if they have flown away without improvement, 
or if he has foolishly consumed them in trifling occupa- 
tions, or lost them in idleness ! 

What more distressing object can be held up to the 
view of society, than that of a man, whose faculties, in- 
stead of being unfolded and enlarged by exercise, are 
benumbed by inactivity, or debilitated or worn out in 
the service of vice ; carrying with him into the matu- 
rer season, nothing but the disgraceful feelings of weak- 
ness, regret, and remorse ? 

On the other hand, what pleasure a person experien- 
ces in recalling to his mind the spring of life, who has 
emplo3 r ed it in preparing himself for useful occupations ; 
and who, having cultivated the precious seed which the 
Creator has sown within him, eanhope to reap for him- 
self and others the most excellent fruits. How delight- 
ful is the sight of such a man to every sensible and vir- 
tuous person ! 

Where is the man who ever repented of having well 
employed his youth ? This period of life, when passed 
in piety and innocence, procures us the most valuable 
advantages, and the most noble pleasures. On the oth- 
er hand, many deplore the loss or abuse of these most 
favourable days of their lives, and bitterly lament over 
the unhappy consequences of youthful errours. 

Now is the season for sowing. If, at a more advan- 
ced period, you would not be reduced to want, if you 
would not be a burden to yourselves and others, if you 
8 



m THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTOR. 

would gather a rich and abundant harvest, you must 
sow the good seed, and carefully cultivate the ground 
which receives it. You must adorn your minds with 
wisdom, and your hearts with virtue : you must lay in 
a store of useful knowledge, and early acquire a habit 
of acting justly. 

You must combat evil thoughts before they gain the 
mastery, and extirpate evil habits before they have ta- 
ken deep root ; endeavour to secure the love and esteem 
of your fellow citizens, by a rational, modest, and regu- 
lar conduct ; that you may be able to depend in future 
on their protection and support. 

Youth is the time for discipline and preparation ; in 
this season, exercise your faculties and powers, if you 
wish hereafter to employ them with facility and success. 
Acquire the information and talents for which you will 
have occasion in future life ; and without which you 
will stumble at every step, and find yourselves involved 
in a thousand perplexing difficulties. 

How important then is the present season of life ! 
Mere wishes, slothful and feeble efforts, will not suffice 
to fulfil its duties and designs. It is only by persever- 
ing endeavours, by a constant application, and by an 
unshaken firmness, that you can attain to honour and 
usefulness in the world. 

Do not postpone to an uncertain hereafter, that which 
you can, and ought to do at present. The time you 
lose, is lost forever : every future period of your exis- 
tence, has its particular employment. It will not be 
the time for sowing, when the season of gathering shall 
come, nor for instruction, when you shall be called to 
make use of your knowledge. 

That which is incumbent on you to do at present, and 
which you neglect because of its difficulties, will become 
every year, and every day more difficult. Be careful 
to watch continually over yourselves, over all the secret 
motions of your hearts ; suffer not yourselves to be se- 
duced by the vain promises of vice, by the charms of 
an apparent liberty, or of treacherous joys. 

Wisdom raises her voice to tell you, that the imox- 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 87 

ication of sense endures but for an instant ; that the en- 
chanted cup of luxury shall not always be sweet to your 
taste ; that the pleasure you find in drinking shall soon 
vanish, as a fleeting dream from which we are fearfully 
awakened : that the liberty with which you are flattered 
by vice, is nothing but the vilest slavery ; and that its 
joys are all poisoned at their source. 

Therefore, shun vice as you would the most deadly 
poison. Early accustom yourselves to self-denials ; to 
bear contradiction and opposition; to subdue your pas- 
sions, and to conquer your sensual appetites : then shall 
a train of pure and lasting joys recompense you in 
manhood and old age, for the destructive or vain gratr 
ifications which you have prudently renounced. 

Even if you are prevented, by an early death, from 
gathering in this world the fruit of a well regulated 
youth, you will obtain a great advantage, if you are 
prepared to enter a more perfect abode, and sufficiently 
qualified for the sublime employment and delicious pleas- 
ures, which await the virtuous in a future existence. 

It is only by making wisdom and virtue, reason and 
religion, your faithful guides, that you can preserve 
your innocence, and proceed with a firm and persever- 
ing step in the path where so many of your predeces- 
sors have reaped the advantages they now enjoy. May 
these faithful guides always accompany you in the 
journey of life ; and may you become valuable men, 
useful citizens, and blessings to society. 



SECTION XXXVI 

A view of the Starry Heavens. 

Here I enjoy a free view of the whole hemisphere, 
without any obstacle from below, to confine the explor- 
ing eye ; or any cloud from above, to overcast the spa- 
cious concave. 

It is true, the lively vermilion which so lately streak- 
ed the chambers of the west, is all faded. But the 
planets, one after another, light up their lamps ; the 
stars advance in their glittering train. 



33 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Thousands of luminaries shine forth in successive 
splendour ; and the whole firmament is kindled into 
the most beautiful glow. 

The blueness of the ether, heightened by the seasoa 
of the year, and still more enlivened by the absence 
of the moon, give those gems of heaven the brightest 
lustre. 



SECTION XXXVIL 

Worth of two syllables ', accented on the first ; Continued. 



Shac kle, v. to chain, fetter 
Shac kles, n. fetters, chains 
Shad ow x n. shade, darkness 
Shal lo#, a. not deep ; silly 
She! ter, n. a place of safety, 
cover ; v. to cover, defend 
Sher iff, n. a county officer 
Shil ling, n. a silver coin, val- 
ue twelve pence 
Shingle, n. a thin board to 

cover houses 
Ship ping, n. vessels for nav- 
igation [ship 
Ship wrack, n. the loss of a 
Shud der, v. to quake with 
fear [dow 
Shut ter, n. a cover for a win- 
Shut tie, n. an instrument 
used in weaving [with 
Sic kle, n. a hook to cut grain 
Sick ness, w. a disease 
Sig nal,n. a sign that gives no- 
tice ; &.eminent,remarkable 
Sil ly, a. foolish, simple 
Sil Ver, n. a white hard metal 
Sim mer, v. to boil gently 
Sim pie, a. plain, artless, silly 
Sin ew, rt. a tendon, nerve 
Sin ful, a. wicked, unholy 
Sing er, n. one that sings 
Sin gle, a. alone, unmarried 



Sin ner, n. one who sins, an 

offender [on a seat 

Sit ting, n. the act of resting 

Six pence, n. a small silver 

coin, half a shilling 
Six teen, «. six and ten 
Six ty, a. six times ten 
Skil ful, a. knowing, experi- 
enced [boiler 
Skil let, ?i. a small kettle or 
Skit tish, a. easily frighted 
Slan der, n. false invective, 

reproach 
Slen der, a. thin, small 
Slip per,ra.a kind of loose shoe 
Slug gish, [g hard] a. slothful 
Slum ber, v. to sleep lightly ; 

n. repose 
Smug gle, v. to import or ex- 
port goods without paying 
the duties [vish 

Snap pish,a.eagerto bite,pee- 
Snuff box, n. a box in which 

snuff is carried 
Snuf fers, n. a utensil to snuff 

candles 
Spar roiu, n. a small bird 
Spat ter, v. to sprinkle 
Spe cial,a.particular, peculiar 
Spend thrift, n. a prodigal ; 
lavisher 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Spin die, n. an instrument 

used in spinning 
Spir it, n. the soul, a ghost, 

breath, life, courage 
Splen did, a. magnificent 
Splen dour, n. lustre, magnif- 
icence 
Sprin kle, v. to scatter in 

small drops 
Stam mer, v. to falter inx>ne ? s 

speech 
Stand ard, n. an ensign of war ; 

undoubted authority 
Stat ue,[stat tshu] n. an image 
Stat ute,[stat tshute] w. an act 
of the legislature, a law, 
decree 
Stead fast, a. fixed, firm 
Stead y, a. firm, not wavering 
Stig ma, ?i. a mark of infamy 
Stin gy, a. covetous 
Stran gle,i\to choke,sufibcate 
Strip ling, n. a youth 
Strug gle, v. to strive, con- 
tend ; n. a contest, agony 
Stub born, a. obstinate 
Stud y,n. application to books 
and learning ; an apart- 
ment for books ; i?. to med- 
itate, muse 
Stum ble, v. to trip in walk- 
ing ; to err 
Stur dy, «. hardy, stout 
Stur geon,n.the name of a fish 
Sub ject, n. the matter treat- 
ed of; one under the do- 
minion of another 
Sub stance, n. being, matter 
Sud den, a. without previous 

notice, hasty 
Suf fer, v. to endure, to bear 
Sul ky, a. sullen, obstinate 
Sul len, a. morose, obstinate 



Sul try, a. hot and cloudy 
Sum mer, n. the second sea- 
son of the year 
Sum mit, n. the top, the ut- # 

most height 
Sun beam, n. a ray of the sun 
Sun day, n. the first day of 

the week 
Sun dry, a. several, various 
Sup per, n. the evening meal 
Sur face, n. the outside 
Sur ly, a. morose, uncivil 
Syl van, a. woody, shady 
Symp torn, n. a sign, token 
Syn tax, n. a system, con* 

struction of words 
Sys tern, ?i. a scheme, meth- 
od, theory 
Tal ent, n. a certain weight 

or sum ; faculty 
Tal on, n. the claw of a bird 
Tar ry, v. to stay, loiter 
Tat tie, v. to prate, talk idly 
Tern pest, n, a violent wind, 

storm, tumult [cate 

Ten der, a. soft, young, deli- 
Ten don, n. a sinew 
Ten dril, n. the clasp of a vine 
Thank fill, a. full of gratitude 
Thim ble, n. a cap for the 

needle finger 
This tie, n. a prickly weed i 
Thith er, ad. to that place 
Thun der, n. a loud noise in 

the air [the week 

Thurs day, n. the fifth day of 
Tick et, *. a token of right 

on the delivery of which 

admission is granted 
Til lage, n. husbandry 
Tim id, a • fearful, timorous 
Tip pet, n. a kind of covering 

for a woman's neck 

8* 



m 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Traf lick, n. commerce,trade ; 

v. to trade, to deal [foot 

Tram pie, v. to tread under 

"■Tram quil, a. quiet, peaceful 

-Trav el, v. to go, to make a 

journey 
■ Treats ure,[s like zh]n. wealth 

laid up, riches 
Trent ble, v. to shake, quiver 
Tres pass, n. an offence, un- 
lawful entry ; v. to trans- 
gress 
Tres ses, n. curls of hair 
Trib ute, n. payment made in 
acknowledgment of sub- 
jection 
Triph thong,n.a union of three 

vowels 
Troub le, n. calamity, afflic- 
tion [down 
Turn ble, v. to fall, to throw 
Tur kej/, n. a large fowl 
Tur tie, n. a kind of dove ; a 

tortoise 
Twen ty, a twice ten 
Ul cer, n. a running sore 
Vm pire, n. one who decides 

disputes 
Un cle, n. a father's or moth- 
er^ brother - % 
Un der, pr. in a state of sub- 
jection [up 
Up right, a. honest ; straight 
Ut most, a. extreme, highest ; 

n-c the most that can be 
Ut ter, v. to speak 
Vai iant, «. stout, brave 
VaJ le^ n. low ground be- 
tween two hills 
Val our, n. courage, bravery 
Val ue } n. a price, worth ; v. to 

fix a price, to rate 
Yan ish, v. to disappear 



Ver diet, n. determination of 

a jury, decision, opinion 
Ver y, a real, true ; ad. in a 

great degree 
Ves sel, n. any thing used to 

hold liquors ; a ship 
Vic tim, n. a sacrifice 
Vict uals, n. food, provisions 
Vig our n. force, strength 
Vil lage, n. a small collection 

of houses 
\ r ir tue,[ver tshu] n. moral 
goodness, excellence, effi- 
cacy 
Vul gar, a. mean, low ; n. the 

common or lower people 
Wag on, n. a four wheeled 

carriage fqr burdens 
Wednes day, n. the fourth 

day of the week 
Welfare,?!, happiness, pros- 
perity 
Whis per, v. to speak in a low 

voice 
Wick ed, a. given to vice 
Wid on), n. a woman whose 

husband is dead 
Wil ful 7 a. stubborn, perverse 
Win ter, n. the fourth season 

of the year 
Wis dom, n. the power of 

judging rightly, sapience 
With er, v. to fade, waste 
Wit ness, n testimony, evi- 
dence 
Wit ty, a. ingenious, smart 
PTran gle, v. to dispute pee- 
vishly ; n. a quarrel 
Young ster, n. a young person 
3 

Al so, ad. likewise 
Al ways, ad. continually, for- 
ever, perpetually 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



91 



Auc tion, n. a publick sale to 

the highest bidder 
Au gust, w. the eighth month 

of the year 
Au thor,n. an in venter, writer 
Au tumw, n. the third season 

of the year 
Aw ful, a. terrible, hateful 
Awk ward, a. unhandy, un- 

polite [icine 

Bal sam, n. an ointment, med- 
Braad cloth, n. a very fine 

kind of woollen cloth 
Cau tion, n. prudence, care 
Cau tious,a.watchful, prudent 
Daugh ter, n. a female child 
False hood,n.a lie, an untruth 
Fault less,<z. perfect, complete 
Faul ty,«.blameable,defective 
For feit, v. to lose by some of- 
fence [luck, portion 
For tune,[t like tsh]n. chance, 
For ty, a. four times ten 
Gau dy, a. showy, splendid 
Hau^A ty, a. proud, insolent 
Hor net, n. a bee of the wasp 

kind 
Horn pipe, n. a kind of dance 
Horse fly, n. a fly that stings 

horses [riding 

Horse man, n. one skilled in 
Law ful, a. agreeable to law 
Law less, a. not subject to 

law, illegal 
Law suit, ft. process in law 
Law yer, n.a professor of law, 

an advocate 
Mor bid, a. diseased, corrupt 
Mor ning, n. the first part of 

the day 
Mor sel, n. a small quantity 
Mor tal, a. subject to death ; 

n. a human being 



3 

Mor tar, n. a kind of cement 
used for building ; a vessel 
to pound in 
Mort gage, n. a pledge of 
property ; x>.to pledge prop- 
erty to a creditor for se- 
curity 
Mor tise, n. a hole cut in one 
piece of wood to admit the 
tenon of another 
Naug7* ty, a. bad, wicked 
Nau seous, a. loathsome, of- 
fensive, disgustful 
Or bit,rc.the line described by 

the revolution of a planet 
Or chard, n. a field of fruit 

trees 
Or der, n.a command, method 
Ord nance,n. cannon, artillery 
Or phan, n; a fatherless or 

motherless child 
Pal sy, n. a privation of the 

sense of feeling 
Pau per, n. one who receives 

alms, a poor person 
Quar ter, w. a fourth part ; 
v. to divide into four parts 
Quar to,n.a book in which ev- 
ery sheet makes four leaves 
Sau cer, n. a small vessel into 

which a tea-cup is set 
Sau cy, a. impudent, insolent 
Scorn ful, a. haughty, proud 
Shor ten, v. to make short 
Short ly, ad. soon, quickly 
SlaugA ter, n. massacre ; v. to 

slay, to kill 
Sor did, a. mean, vile, base 
Storm y, a. tempestuous 
Thought ful % , a. contempla- 
tive, careful 
Thought less, a. negligent, 
careless 



92 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Tor ment, n. pain, misery 
Tor toise, n. an amphibious 

animal [ish 

Taw ny, a. brownish, yellow- 
4 
Alms house, w. a house for 

the poor 
Ar dent, a. hot, fiery, zealous 
Ar gue, v. to reason, dispute 
Ar nitfur, n. defensive arms 
Ar my,n.a body of armed men 
Art ful, a. cunning, dexterous, 

artificial 
Art ist, n. a professor of an art 
Bar ber, n. a man that shaves 

beards [ment 

Bar gain, n, a contract, agree- 
Bar ley, n. a sort of grain 
Bar ter, v. to exchange [ness 
CaZm ness, n. mildness, still- 
Car cass, n. a dead body 
Car pet, n. a covering for a 

floor 
Car tridge, n. a paper-case for 

gunpowder and ball 
Car ver, n. one who carves 
Char coal, n. a coal made by 

burning wood under cover 
Charm ing, a. pleasing 
Dark ness, n. absence of light 
Far mer, n. one who culti- 
vates ground [tance 
Far THer, a. at a greater dis- 
Far THest, a. at the greatest 

distance [penny 

Far THing, n. the fourth of a 
Fa THer, n. a parent 
Gar den, n. a place planted 

withherbs,flowers,&c. [ers 
Gar land, n. a wreath of flow- 
Gar lick, 7i. a plant[the body 
Gar ment, ?i. a covering for 
Har hour, n. a port, shelter 



Har den, v. to make hard 
Hard ness, n. severity ; a hard 

quality 
Hard ship, n. fatigue, injury 
Hard ware, n. wares made of 

iron, steel, brass, &c. 
Harm less, a. innocent 
Harsh ness, n. roughness 
Har vest, n. the season for 
gathering wheat, maize^&c. 
the crop gathered 
Hear ken, v. to listen, attend 
Hear ty, a. healthy, strong 
Jar gon, n. unintelligible talk, 

gibberish 
Lar board, n. the left hand 

side of a ship or boat 
Laz^gh ter, n. a convulsive 

merry noise 
Mar ble, n. a fine hard stone ; 

a. made of marble 
Mar gin, n. the edge, border 
Mar ket, n. a place and time 

of sale 
Mar quis, n. one of the sec- 
ond order of nobility, next 
in rank to a duke 
Mar shal, n. an officer of an 
army ; a sheriff ; v. to ar- 
range, rank in order 
Marsh y, a. swampy, boggy 
Mar tial, a. warlike, brave 
Mar tyr, n. one who by his 
death bears witness to the 
truth 
Mar vel, v. to wonder 
Ma ster, n. an owner, propri- 
etor ; a ruler, teacher 
Par boil, v. to half boil 
Parch ment, n. skins dressed 

for writing on 
Par dan, v. to forgive 5 n. for- 
giveness 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 93 

SECTION XXXVIII. 

Cleanliness, 

Cleanliness may be recommended under the three 
following heads : as it is a mark of politeness ; as it pro- 
duces affection; and as it bears analogy to purity of mind. 

In the first place, it is a mark of politeness ; for it is 
universally agreed upon, that no one unadorned with 
this virtue, can go into company without giving a man- 
ifest offence. The different nations of the world are as 
much distinguished by their cleanliness, as by their arts 
and sciences. The more advanced in civilization, the 
more they consult this part of politeness. 

In the second place, cleanliness may be considered 
the foster-mother of affection. Beauty commonly pro- 
duces love, but cleanliness preserves it. Age is not 
unamiable while it is preserved clean and unsullied : 
like a piece of metal constantly kept smooth and bright* 
we look on it with more pleasure, than on a new vessel 
that is cankered with rust. 

As cleanliness renders us agreeable to others, so it 
makes us easy to ourselves ; it is an excellent preserva- 
tive of health ; and several vices destructive both to 
mind and body, are inconsistent with the habit of it.. 

In the third place, it bears great analogy with purity 
of mind, and naturally inspires refined sentiments and 
passions. We find from experience, that through the 
prevalence of custom, the most vicious actions lose their 
horrour, by being made familiar to us. 

On the contrary, those who live in the neighbourhood 
of good eidmples, fly from the first appearance of what 
is shocking ; and thus pure and unsullied thoughts are 
naturally suggested to the mind, by those objects that 
perpetually encompass us. 

In the East, where the warmth of the climate makes 
cleanliness more immediately necessary than in colder 
countries, it is considered as a part of religion : the 
Jewish law, (as well as the Mahometan, which in some 
things copies after,) enjoins frequent bathings, and other 
rites of the like nature : and we read several injunctions 
of this kind \xi the book of Deuteronomy, 



94 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

SECTION XXXIX. 

Honour. 
The influence of honour on the character and Im- 
provement of the mind, is no less happy than that of 
virtue. As a virtuous man would not do a criminal 
action, because it is repugnant to the laws of God, and 
injurious to his neighbour, so would an honourable 
man despise a mercenary deed, because it is abhorrent 
to his feelings, and the genuine principles of rectitude. 
The ideas many have of honour, and of the means to 
attain it, are as different, and perhaps as erroneous as 
those they have of true happiness. 

Persons who entertain right conceptions of honour, 
enjoy a double advantage. Stimulated by its dictates, 
and instructed by the precepts of virtue, they scorn 
whatever is low, and aspire at that which is amiable. 
Ambitious to gain the esteem of the world, the man of 
honour makes virtue his guide ; his life is marked with 
integrity ; his soul beams sincerity, and justice ever 
graces the tenour of his conduct. 

Others, who have wrong ideas upon this subject, 
commit crimes of the vilest nature, and suppose their 
guilt is veiled, from the mistaken notion that their vices 
are honourable, because they are fashionable. Ask 
the dissipated man why he carouses at midnight revels, 
and riots in the luxuries of pleasure, he will answer, 
u to maintain my honour, and support the dignity of 
a gentleman. " 

Ask the duellist why he would take away the life of— 
perhaps a brother, he will answer, " to vifttiicate my 
honour, and act the part of a man." Such is the force 
of custom, to convert the basest crimes into a fashion- 
able point of honour. Alas ! Such may have become 
fashionable, but they will ever be contemptible. 

Flattered by a false notion of honour, the voluptuary 

endeavours to exculpate the criminality of his conduct. 

Uncontrolled by principles, he gives unbounded scope 

to his desires, and riots with intemperate festivity. 

Unacquainted with what is truly honourable, the du- 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED. 95 

ellist, for the most trivial offence, thus challenges his an- 
tagonist: " Equip yourself with sword and pistol, meet 
me at such a time and place, and prove yourself a gen- 
tleman" His antagonist, if like himself, destitute of 
honour, thus answers: "I accept your challenge with 
pleasure, and am happy to give you and the world this 
proof." 

But, if his antagonist be endued with just and hon- 
ourable principles, he thus replies : " Sensible what dis- 
grace a compliance with your request would bring upon 
us both, and humanity itself, I condemn your offer as 
derogatory to the human character. If in fault, I am 
willing to make every reasonable confession, and ready 
to give satisfaction. 55 

As the man of virtue fears, so the man of honour 
scorns to do a mean action. Seneca speaks in the no- 
ble and genuine language of honour, when he says, 
«' Were there no God to see and punish vice, he would 
not commit it, because it is of so mean, so base, and 
vile a nature." 

Should those persons who court vice and folly for 
pleasure, study decency, and cultivate true principles, 
they would soon discard those fashionable vices, which 
they vainly flatter themselves, accomplish the real mail 
of honour. 

The vices of the present age, like dress, have their 
fashions. Were we to inquire into the cause, should 
we not find that many of them owe their rise to a mista- 
ken notion of honour f Excess of pleasure, says the 
sensualist, is fashionable, consequently, honourable. 

But were he sensible that nothing but what is virtu- 
ous, is worthy of this name, that the principles of hon- 
our would teach him to ennoble his soul with concep- 
tions of the just and amiable, he would forsake the lap 
of pleasure, for that of virtue. 

Then let the debauchee quit his vain delights ; the 
voluptuary the bed of pleasure ; the duellist his dagger, 
for that which is great, noble, and virtuous ; and b* 
persuaded that honour is the child of virtue, and tfre p*£* 
Action of a benevolent and generous soul 



96 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



SECTION XL. 

Words of two syllables, accented on the first : Continued* 



Pars ley, n. a plant 
Par son, n. a clergyman, min- 
ister, priest 
Par tial, a. inclined to favour 
one party more than the 
other 
Part ner, n. a sharer, partaker 
Par tridge, n. a bird of game 
Par ty,n.a number of persons 
confederated, a select as- 
sembly 
Tar dy, a. slow, dilatory 

5 
Bon dage, /i. captivity, slavery 
Bond man, m. a man slave 
Bond maid, rc. a woman slave 
Bonds man, n. one bound for 

.another 
Bor row, v. to take upon loan 
Bot tie, w. a glass vessel 
Bot torn, n. lowest part 
Clos et,rc.a small private room 
Cob ble, v. to mend coarsely 
Cob bler,rc.a mender of shoes 
Cob web,w.the web of a spider 
Cof fee, n. a drink ; a berry 
Col lar, n. something worn 

round the neck 
Col league, n. a partner 
Col lege, n. a house for learn- 
ing [round pillar 
Col umn,n. part of a page ; a 
Com et, n. a kind of star 
Com merce,?i. trade, traffick 
Com pend, ». abridgment 
Con duct, n. behaviour 
Con gress, n. an assembly,, 
meeting [gained 
Con quest, n. victory, a thing 
Con science, n. natural knowl- 
edge, reason 



Con sort, n* a companion, 

partner 
Con stant, a. firm, unvaried 
Con test, W. a dispute, debate 
Con tract, n. a bargain, agree- 
ment 
Con trite, a. penitent [ed 
Con vict, n. a person convict- 
Cost ly, a, of great price 
Doc tor, n. a title in divinity, 

law, physick, &c. 
Doc trine, n. the principles of 

any sect ; a precept 
Dol lar, w. a silver coin 
Fod der, n. food for cattle 
F °g gy> [g ha *d] a. misty, 

cloudy 
Fol low, v. to go after, pursue 
Fol ly, n. foolishness 
Fond ness, n. tenderness, ex- 
cess of love 
Fore head, n. the upper part 

of the face 
For eign, a. belonging to an- 
other country 
For est, n. a wild uncultiva- 
ted tract 
Fos ter, v. to nurse, cherish 
Fros ty, a. like frost, cold 
Glos sy, a, shining, showy 
Gob let, n. a bowl or cup 
Gos ling, n. a young goose 
Hoi low, 72. a cavity, den 
Horn age,w.obedience,service 
Hon est, a. upright, just 
Hon ow,n. dignity, reputation 
Hor rid, a. hideous, dreadful 
Hov el, n. a. shed, cottage 
Joe und, a. merry, gay, lively 
Jog gle, v. to shake, push 
► Jol ly, a. merry, gay 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



97 



Jos t\e } v.- to push ? shake 
Knot ty, a. full of knots,hard 
J^ho^l edge, n. understand- 
ing, skill [a room 
Lob by, ». an opening before 
Lob ster, n. a shell-fish 
Lock et,n.an ornamental lock 
Lof ty, a. proud, stately, high 
Log ick, [g soft] n. the art of 

reasoning 
Log wood, n. a wood much 

used in dying 
Mod el, n. a copy, represen- 
tation ; v. to plan, to shape 
Mod era, a. late, not ancient 
Mod est, a. diffident, chaste 
Mon arcA,w. a king,sovereign 
Mon ster, n. something un- 
natural or horrible 
Mon stn?us, a. unnatural, 

enormous 
Mor al, a. upright, relating to 
vice or virtue ; n. the in- 
struction of a fable 
Mor als, n. natural principles, 

duties 
Mor TQiv, n. the next day af- 
ter the present one [moss 
Mos sy, a. overgrown with 
Mot to, ft. a sentence prefix- 
ed or added, a device 
Non sense, ra. words without 
connected meaning [nose 
Nos tril, n. the cavity in the 
Nov el, n. a feigned story or 

tale 
Nov ice, w. an unlearned or 

unskilful person 
Nox ious, [nok shus] a. hurt- 
ful, offensive 
Ob ject, n. that about which 
any power or faculty is 
employed 

9 



Ob long, a. longer than broad 
Odd ness, n. strangeness, par- 
ticularity 
Offer, u.to present, propose; 

n. price bid, proposal 
Of fice, n. a publick employ- 
ment ; a place where busi- 
ness is transacted 
01 ive, n. a tree and its fruit ; 

an emblem of peace 
On ward, ad. forward [ion 
Op ticks,?z.the science of vis- 
Op tion, n. choice, will 
Or ange, n. a kind of fruit 
Os trich, n. a very large Afri- 
can fow4 [mai 
Ot ter, n. an amphibious ani- 
Polish, v* to make smooth 

and glossy, to refine 
Pom ptfus, a. splendid, grand 
Pon der, v. to consider, muse 
Pon iard, n, a dagger 
Pop gun, n. a wooden gun for 

children 
Pop lar, n. the name of a tree- 
Pop py, ?i, the name of a plant 
Por ridge, n. a kind of broth 
Pos ture, [t like tsh] n. posi 

tion, place, situation 
Pot ter, n. a maker of earthen 
vessels [pints 

Pot tie, n. a measure of four 
Prob lem, n. a question pro- 
posed for solution 
Proc ess, [c like s] n. meth- 

od, progress, course 
Prod uce, n. product,amount, 
fruit [duced 

Prod uct, n. something pro 
Prof it, n. gain, advantage 
Prog ress, n. improvement, 
course [scheme 

Proj ect, n. a contrivance, 



98 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



From is e,v. to give one's word, 

to assure 
Prop er, a. fit, peculiar 
Proph et, n. one who tells 

future events 
Pros pect, ft. a view 
Pros per, v. to be successful 
Pros trate, a. lying at length ; 
v. to throw down [saying 
Prov erb,rc.a maxim, common 
Prov ince, ft. a region ; a 
country governed by a del- 
egate 
Quar relj'y. to brawl, debate ; 

n. a dispute, strife 
Quar ry, n. a stone mine 
Rob ber, n. a thief, plunderer 
Soft ness, n. quality of being 

soft, effeminacy 
Sol ace, n. comfort, pleasure 
Sol enift, a. awful, religiously 

grave 
Sol id,«. firm, compact, sound 
Sol vent, a, able to pay debts 
Son net, ft. a short poem 
Sor rel, n, an acid plant 
Sor ro&>, ft. trouble, grief 
Sor ry, a. grieved for some- 
thing past 
Spot less, a. pure, immaculate 
Squab ble, ft. a low brawl, 
petty quarrel [fusely 

Squan der, v. to spend pro- 
Swal loiv, n. a small bird ; 

the throat 
Tor rent, n. a rapid stream 
Tor rid, a. violently hot, par- 
ched 
Wan der, v, to rove, ramble 

6 
Bru tal, a. cruel, inhuman 
Cru el, a. hard-hearted, inhu- 
man 



Fool ish, a. weak of intellect^ 

imprudent 
Fru*t less, a. barren, unprofit* 
able [choly 

Gloom y, a. obscure, melan- 
Loo sen, v. to let loose 
Lo ser, n. one that has suffer* 

ed loss 
Moon light, n 6 light afforded 

by the moon 
Moon shine, n. the lustre of 

the moon 
Move ment, ft. motion 
Pru dent, a. discreet, practi- 
cally wise 
Pru dence, ft. wisdom applied 
" to practice, discretion 
Rude ness,ra. incivility, coars©* 

ness of manners 
Ru in, ft. destruction, over- 
throw ; v. to destroy, de- 
molish 
Ru ler, ft. a govern our ; an 
instrument by which lines 
are drawn 
Ru ral, a. belonging to the 

country, retired 
ScAool boy,ft. a boy at school^ 

a learner 
SmooTH ness, ft. evenness, 
mildness, softness 
7 
Bui let, ft.a round ball of met- 
al [pecks 
Bush el, n. a measure of four 
But cher, ft. a person who 

kills animals to sell 
Cue koo, «. a bir J 
Cush ion, ft. a soft pad placed 
upon a chair [feet 

Foot stool, ft. a stool for the 
Ful ness, ft. state of being full, 
completeness 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER- 



Good ly, a. comely, beautiful 
Good ness, n. desirable qual- 
ities, virtue, piety 
Pud ding, n. a kind of food 
Pul let, n. a young hen 
Pulley, w.a small wheel for a 

running cord 
Pul pit, n. an exalted place to 
speak from [human race 
Worn an, ?i. the female of the 
Wool len, a. made of wool 

8 
Com bat, n. a battle, duel 
Come ly, a. graceful, decent 
Com fort, n. pleasure, joy 
Cov et, v. to desire earnestly 
Doz en, ?i. the number of 

twelve 
Flood gate, n. a gate to stop 

or let out water 
Gov ern, v. to rule, regulate 
Hon ey } n. the sweet juice of 
vegetables collected by bees 
Love ly, a. exciting love, ami- 
able 
Lov er, n. one who is in love 
Lov ing, a. kind, affectionate 
Mon day, n. the second day 

of the week 
Blon e#, n. metal coined for 

publick use 
Mon key, n. an ape, baboon 
Month ly, ad. once a month 
Shov el, n. a utensil broader 

than a spade 
SmoTK er, v. to suffocate 
Some times, ad. now and then 
Stir rup, n. an iron for a horse- 
man's foot 
Thir teen, a. ten and three 
Thir ty, a. three times ten 
Won der, v. to be astonished ; 
n, amazement, admiration 



8 

Wor ship, n. religious rever- 
ence, adoration ; a term of 
honour ; v. to adore,honour 

Wor THy, a. deserving, noble 

9 

Eigh teen, a. twice nine 
Eigh ty, a. eight times ten 
llein 0us, a. very wicked 
Neigh hour, n. one who lives 
near another 

oi 

Joint ly, ad. together, not sep- 
arately 
Loi tcr, v. to linger, lag 
Moist ness, n. dampness 
Mois ture,[t like tshjrc. damp- 

ness, jitciness 

Noi sy,a. clamorous,turbulent 

Oil y,a.consisting of oil,greasy 

Poi son,n. that which destroys 

life ; v. to infect with pok 

son, to corrupt 

oy . 
Boy ish, a. childish, trifling 

Joy ful, a. full of joy, glad 

Lov a I, a. true or obedient to 

a sovereign 

Oys ter, n. a shell fish 

Roy al, a. kingly,noble,regal 

Voy age, n. a passage by sea 

Bound less, a. unlimited [ity 
Boun ty, n. free gift ; generos- 
D&uht ful, a. uncertain 
Foul ness, n. filthiness 
Fcun der, n. a builder,former 
House hold, n. a family 
Loud ly, ad. noisily 
Loud ness, n. noise, clamour 
Moun tain, n. a high hill 
Mouse trap, n. a trap to catch 
mice in [peiled 

Out cast, n. an exile, one ex- 



100 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Out cry, n. a cry of distress, 

noise, clamour 
Outlet, n. passage outwards 
Out rage, n. open violence 
Out side, #. the outward part 
Out ward,a.external,apparent 
Proudly, ad. haughtily, arro- 
gantly 
Scoun drel, n. a mean low 
fellow, a villain 

070 

Bow er, w. an arbour 
Clown ish, a. uncivil, ill bred 
Cow af d, n. one destitute of 
courage [flower 

Cow slip, n. the name of a 
Dow ny, a. covered with down 



ow 

Drow sy, a. sleepy, stupid , 

dull 
Flow-er, n. the blossom of a 

plant 
Low er, v. to appear dark 

and gloomy [powdei 

Pow der, n. fine dust, gun 
Pow er, n. authority, com- 
mand, ability 
Show er, n. a fall of rain 
Tow el, n. a cloth on which 

the hands are wiped 
Tow er, n. a high building 
Town ship, n. the territory or 

land of a town 
Vow el, n. a letter which can 

be uttered by itself 






SECTION XLL 

On bridling the Tongue. 

11 The tongue can no man tame." 

If this had not been the language of inspiration, ex- 
perience has proved it to be the language of truth. 
The tongue is the most untameable thing in nature. All 
kinds of beasts, birds, and serpents, have been tamed 
by mankind ; but not so with the tongue. Who 
among the sons of men ever yet tamed his own tongue ? 
Not one. 

A person can bridle his tongue, or hold it : but no 
sooner does he take off the bridle, or let go his hold, 
than this little member runs wild, and out slips some- 
thing from it in the moment of passion or levity, which 
the speaker presently wishes back. 

Mark Anthony, it has been said, tamed lions, and 
drove them harnessed to his chariot through the streets 
of Rome. Had he tamed his own tongue, it would have 
been a greater wonder still. The rattle-snake has been 
tamed, and even the crocodile ; but the tongue never. 

Pythagoras imposed on his pupils constant silence 
for months and years together. But what did it all sig* 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 101 

nify ? No sooner were they permitted to talk, than they 
gabbled a deal of impertinence — Besides, to withhold 
the tongue from speaking at all,, is destroying its end 
and use, rather than taming it. 

The gift of speech is too precious to be thrown away. 
Let the tongue be accustomed to speak, and to speak 
as it ought. " A word spoken in due season, how good 
it is !" Unruly tongues, on the contrary, produce a 
world of iniquity. Some are full of deadly poison : 
such are they that curse men and blaspheme God, and 
which utter lies for mischief or sport. 

Such too is the deceitful tongue, " whose words are 
smoother than oil ; yet are they drawn swords." There 
is the sly, whispering tongue, and the babbling, tattling 
tongue ; each of which " separateth very friends." 
The words of a tale-bearer are as wounds ; he wounds 
others thqpeby, and himself too ; for the mouth of such 
a fool is his destruction. 

An impertinent, meddling tongue, makes bad worse ; 
even when employed in offices of friendship. When 
Job was smitten from head to foot, the busy tongues 
of his wife and friends, were a sorer plague to him 
than all his biles. And thus it often happens, that a 
person under misfortunes, suffers as well from the bu- 
sy meddling tongues of friends, as from the malicious 
tongues of enemies. 

There are fiery tongues. " The tongue is a fire." 
Such is the tongue of the passionate man or woman, 
whose mouth foaming with rage, casteth abroad words 
which are as " fire-brands, arrows and death." Such 
also is the tongue of the slanderer and backbiter, 
which puts whole neighbourhoods and communities in 
a flame, and " setteth on fire the course of nature.** 
How many a pretty mouth has been disfigured aad 
made hideous, by the fiery tongue in it ! 

What then is to be done with this unruly little mem- 
ber, which " boasteth great things," and occasioneth 
infinite mischief in the world? Since no man nor woraaa 
ean quite tame it, how is the best way to manage it ? 
First, correct the heart, and keep that with all diii- 

9« 



102 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

gence. The foolishness of the lips is first uttered in 
the heart. " For out of the abundance of the heart the 
mouth speaketh." Next, carefully bridle the tongue ; 
keep the bit upon it at all times ; especially in the mo- 
ment of sudden anger, and in the hour of joy and con- 
viviality. 

Self-command, as respects the tongue, is as necessa- 
ry as it is difficult. For we are told from divine author- 
ity, u If any man offend not in word, the same is a per- 
fect man, and able also to oridle the whole body." 
V As it is of the utmost importance that we rule our 
own tongues, so on the other hand, it is of no small 
importance that we be guarded against the unruly 
tongues of others. And here I will suggest one cau- 
tion, and commend it to the particular remembrance oi 
the young and unexperienced. 

Beware of close intimacy with those whose tongues 
are calumnious toward almost every one except their 
present company, to which they are ever smooth and fair. 
For he that commonly indulges himself in calumniating 
or ridiculing the absent, plainly shows his company what 
they have tp expect from him after he leaves them. 



SECTION XLII. 

An Indian king's advice to his Son. 

M¥ son* said the expiring monarch, the angel of 
death is now approaching, and in a few moments, a 
breathless corpse will be all that remains of the once pow- 
erful Kalahad. Remember, therefore, my son, that thou 
must now govern this mighty empire alone/ Remem- 
ber, O youthful monarch oflndostan, that thy example 
will influence multitudes of people ; it will constitute 
either their happiness or misery. 

If thou art careful to direct thy paths by the precepts 
of reason, and to listen to the dictates of conscience, it 
thou art indefatigable in punishing oppressors, and 
those who wallow in wickedness, and careful to encour- 
age virtue and merit wherever they are found, then 
shall happiness dwell in thy palace, and plenty smile 
M^uad thy habitations* 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



103 



"Treachery shall be banished from the empire of In- 
dostan, and rebellion seek refuge in the dark coverns of 
the mountains. The tongue of the hoary sage shall bless 
thee, and the s.hepherd as he tends his flocks in the pas- 
tures of the Ganges,shall rehearse the glories of thy reign. 

Thus shall thy life glide on serenely ; and when the 
angel of death receives his commission to put a period to 
thy existence, thou shalt receive the summons with tran- 
quillity, and pass without fear the gloomy valley, that 
separates time from eternity ; for remember, my son, 
this life is nothing more than a short portion of duration, 
a prelude to another, which will never have an end. 

It is a state of trial, a period of probation ; and as we 
spend it either in the service of virtue or vice, our state 
in the regions of eternity will be happy or miserable* 
Farewell, my son, I am arrived at the brink of the preci- 
pice that divides the regions of spirits from those inhab- 
ited by mortals. Treasure up the instructions of thy 
dying father in thy breast; practise them, and be happy* 



SECTION XLIIL 

Words of two syllables] accented on the second, 



A base, v. to humble, to cast 

down 
A bate, v. to decrease 
A bide, v. to stay in a place 
A board, ad. in, or on board 

a ship 
A bode, n. habitation 
Ab stain, v. to refrain from 
A buse, v. to revile, to make 

an ill use of [thing 

A buse, n. the ill use of any 
Ac cuse, u. to blame 
Ac quaint, v. to inform 
Ac quire, v. to gain 
A cute, a. sharp, keen 
Ad here, v. to stick close to 
A dteu, ad. farewell 
Ad mire, v. to esteem 



i 

A dore, v. to worship 
Ad vice, n. counsel, notice 
Ad vise, v. to counsel 
A fraid, a. fearful 
A grec, v. to consent [ner 
A like, ad. in the same man- 
A lone, a. without company 
Al THougky conj. notwith* 

standing 
A maze, v. to confuse 
A muse, v. to divert 
Ap peal, v. to refer to another 

as judge 
Ap pear, v. to be visible 
Ap ply, v. to put one thing 

to another 
Ap proach, v. to draw near to 
A rise, v. to rise up,mount up 



104 



TH;E AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Ar raign, v. to call to answer 

in court, to accuse 
Ar range, v. to set in order 
Ar ray, v. to put in order ; to 

dress [paid 

Ar rear, n. part of a debt un- 
Ar rive, v. to come to a place 
As cribe, v. to attribute to 
A sleep, ad. at rest, sleeping 
At tain, v.. to gain, to reach 
A wake, v. to rouse out of 

sleep 
Be gwile, v. to deceive 
J3e hold, v. to see, to view 
Be lief, w. credit, opinion 
Be lieve, v. to credit, to have 

faith, to think true 

Be moan, v. to lament, bewail 

Be queaTH, v, to give by will 

Be reave, v. to deprive of 

Be seech, v. to beg, entreat 

Be side, ? j v 

p -a > pr .over and above 

Be siege, v, to beset, attack 
Be wail, v t to lament, grieve 
Be ware, v. to be cautious 
Bias pheme, v. to speak wick- 
edly, to curse 
Block ade, t?. to shut up 
Ca reer, n. a course, race 
Ghas tise, v. to punish, correct 
Com pare, v. to examine one 
thing by another [ment 
Com plain, v. to murmur, la- 
Com plaint, ». an accusation ; 

a disease 
Com plete, a. pei fect,fi nished 
Com ply, v. to yield or sub- 
mit to 
Com pose, v. to put together 
Com pute, v. to recke/i 
Con ceive, v. to understand 
Con cise^ a* brief, short 



Con elude, v. to finish, decide 
Con fide, v. to trust in 
Con fine, v. to imprison, limit 
Con fuse, v. to disorder 
Con fute, v. to disprove 
Con geal, v. to freeze,harden 
Con sole, v. to comfort, cheer 
Con strain, v. to compel 
Con straint, n. compulsion 
Con sume,X7.to spend, destroy 
Con tain, v. to hold, comprise 
Con trive, v. to plan, invent 
Con vene, v. to call together, 

to assemble 
Cre ate, v. to form, produce 
De base,, v. to degrade, lessen 
De bate, v. to dispute, argue 
De cay, vAo consume,decline 
De ceit, n. fraud, treachery 
De ceive, v. to impose upon 
De cide, v. to determine 
De clare,i>.to amrm,pro claim 
De crease, v. to diminish 
De cree, n. a law, rule 
De face,?;, to disfigure,destroy 
De fame, v. to censure falsely 
De feat, n. destruction, over- 
throw ; v. to disappoint 
De file, v. to pollute, to make 

foul, taint 
De fine, v. to explain, limit 
De fy y v. to challenge, dare 
De grade, v. to place lower 
De lay, v. to put off, hinder \ 
De ligAt, n. joy, pleasure 
De lude, v. to deceive 
De note, v. to mark, show 
De ny, v. to refuse, disown 
De plore, v. to lament, bewail 
De prive, v. to take from, be- 
reave [der 
De range, v. to put out of or- 
De ride, v. to laugh at, mock 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED. 



105 



De scribe, v. to represent by 

words or figures 
De sire, v. to wish, long for ; 

n. a wish 
De spise, v. to disdain, scorn 
De tain, v. to keep, withhold 
De vice, n. a contrivance, 
scheme [ep 

De vote, vXo dedicate,to give 
Dis close, v. to reveal, to tell 
Dis cowrse, n. conversation 
Dis creet, a. prudent,cautious 
Dis dain, v. to scorn [ness 
Dis ease, n. distemper, sick- 
Dis like,r. to hate, disapprove 
Dis place,i\toput out of place 
Dis please, v. to offend 
Dis pute, n. a contest, contro- 
versy 
Dis taste, w. dislike, disgust 
Di vide, v. to part, separate 
Ef face, v. to blot out,destroy 
E lope, v. to run away 
Em brace, v. to comprise ; to 
hold fondly [round 

En close, v to fence in, sur- 
En croach, v., to invade, in- 
trude 
En dear, v. to make dear 
En dure, v. to undergo ; to 

continue 
En force, v. to compel, urge 
En gage, v. to enlist, oppose 
En grave, v. to cut characters 
En rage, v. to provoke 
En robe, v. to dress, adorn 
En rol, v. to record, register 
En slave, v. to deprive of 

liberty 
En sure, [s like sh] v. to se- 
cure, ascertain 
En throne,x>.to set on a throne 
En tice, v. to allure, attract 



En treat, v. to solicit, beg 
E rase, v. to rub out, destroy 
E scape, v. to get out of dan- 
ger, to shun 
E state, n. property, rank 
E steem, v. to think well of, to 
regard ;w.reverential regard 
E vade, v. to avoid, escape 
Ex ceed, v. to excel, surpass 
Ex change, v. to give one 

thing for another 
Ex cite, v. to stir up, move 
Ex claim, v. to cry out, to 

rail against 
Ex elude, v. to shut out, debar 
Ex cuse, v. to forgive, pardon 
Ex pire,T\to breathe out,to die 
Ex plain, ?;. to illustrate 
Ex plore,i7. to examine,search 

into 
Ex pose, v. to put in danger^ 

lay open 
Ex treme, n. utmost point, ex- 
tremity 
For bear, v. to cease, decline 
Fore bode, v. to foretell 
Fore know, v. to know be- 
forehand 
Fore see, v. to see beforehand 
For sake, v. to leave, desert 
Gen teel, a. polite, graceful 
Gran dee, n. .a man of great 

rank or power 
Here by, ad. by this, by these 

means 
Hu mane, a. kind, tender 
Im bibe, v. to drink in, to ad- 
mit into 
Im pair, v. to diminish, injure 
Im peach, v. to accuse by 

publick authority 
Im pede, v. to hinder, obstruct 
Im plore ? 0. to beseech, be*; 



2 OS 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Im ply, v. to comprise, suggest 
Im pose, v. to enjoin as a du- 
ty ; to deceive 
Im pure, a. unholy, foul 
Im pute, v. to charge upon, 

attribute 
In case, v. to cover, infold 
In cite, v. to stir up, animate 
In cline, v. to bend, to be dis- 
posed 
In elude, p., to comprehend, 

to take in 
In crease, v. to grow [ity 
In deed, ad. in truth, in real- 
In duce, v. to persuade 
In flame, v. to set en fire, heat 
In fold, v. to in wrap 
In fuse, v. to pour in, to instill 
In quire, v. to ask 
In sane, a. distracted, mad 
In scribe, v. to write on any 

thing ; to dedicate [gle 
In snare, v. to entrap, entan- 
In spire, v. to breathe into, to 

infuse into the mind 
In twine, v. to twist or wreath 

together 
In vade, v. to enter or seize 

in a hostile manner 
fn vite, v. to bid,ask,persuade 
In voke, v. to call upon, to 

pray to 
Ju ly, n. the seventh month 

of the year 
Les see, w. a person to whom 

a lease is given 
Man kind,n. the whole human 

race 
Ma ture, a. ripe, perfect, full 
Mi nute, a. small, little 
Mis deed, w. an evil action 
Mislead, v. to guide in^ a 

wrong way 



Mis place, v. to place wrong 
Mis take, n. errour, miscon- 
ception [badly 
Mis use, v. to abuse, to use 
Mo rose, a. peevish, sullen 
North east, n. the point be- 
tween the north and east 
Oh scene, a. immodest, dis- 
gusting 
Ob tan), v. to gain, acquire 
Ob tuse, a. not pointed, dull 
O paq?/e, a. dark, not trans- 
parent [ject 
Op pose, v. to act against, oh- 
Or da?'n, v. to appoint, estab- 
lish [der 
Par ade, w. show, military or- 
Par take, v.- to have or take a 

part, to participate 
Per cefve, *;. to discover 
Perfume, v. to make asweet 

odour ; to scent 
Per spire, v. to sweat or steam 
Per suade, v. to bring to an 

opinion, to influence 
Per tain, v. to relate, belong 
Pe ruse, v. to read, examine 
Po lite, a. of genteel manners 
Pol lute, v. to defile, corrupt 
Post pone, v. to put off, delay 
Pre cede, v. to go before in 

rank or time 
Pre cise, a. exact, strict, nice 
Pre elude, v. to shut out 
Pre pare, v. to make ready, 
to fit [tell 

Pre sage, v. to forebode, fore- 
Pre scribe, v. to order, direct 
Pre side, v. to superintend 
Pre vail, v. to take place, in- 
duce, overcome [ture 
Pre sume, v. to suppose, ven~ 
Pro ceed, v, to go forward 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER, 



101 



Pro claim, v. to tell openly, 

to promulgate 
Pro duce, x\ to exhibit, to 

bring forth 
Pro fane, a. wicked, polluted; 

x?. to violate 
Pro fuse, a. lavish, wasteful 
Pro mote, v. to forward, exalt 
Pro pose, v. to offer for con- 
sideration 
Pro vide, x?. to procure,furnish 
Pro voke, v. to rouse, enrage 
Pur sue, v. to follow, continue 
Pur suit, n. the act of folio wing 
Re buke, x?. to reprove, chide 
Re cede, v. to fall back, desist 
Re ceipt, n. an acquittance ; 

a reception 
Re ceive, v. to take, admit 
Re cite, v. to repeat, rehearse 
Re claim,??, to reform, correct 
Re cluse, a. shut up, retired ; 
n. a person shut up or' retired 
Re course, n, an application 

for help [save 

Re deem,-*?, to ransom,rescue, 
Re duce, x?. to make less 
Re fine, x?. to purify, improve 
Re frain, x?. to forbear, abstain 
Re fuse,-??, to deny, reject 
Re fute, x>. to prove false or 

erroneous [anew 

Re gain, v. to recover, to gain 
Re late, v. to tell, recite 
Re lease, x>. to set free ; n. a 

dismission, discharge 
Re lief, n. help, alleviation 
Re lieve, v. to assist, succour 
Re ly, x?. to put trust in 
Re main, x?. to continue, to 

be left 
Re mind, v. to put in mind 
Re mote, a. distant, far off 



Re new, v. to restore to the 

former state ; to make anew 
Re pair, v. to mend, refit 
Re pay, v. to pay back 
Re peal, i?. to make void, an- 
nul ; n. an abolition 
Re peat, v. to recite, rehearse 
Re pine, v. to grieve, murmur 
Re place, v. to put again in 

place [answer 

Re ply, v. to answer ; n. an 
Re port, x>. to give an account 

of; n. a rumour [sleep 
Re pose, x?. to lay to rest, to 
Re prieve, x?. to respite from 

punishment 
Re proach, x?. to censure 
Re quire, x?. to demand 
Re side, x?. to live in a place 
Re sign, v. to give up, submit 
Re store,x\togive back,relieve 
Re strain, v. to withhold 
Re straint, «. abridgment of 

liberty 
Re sume, x?. to begin again % 

to take back 
Re tail, x?. to sell in small 

quantities 
Re tain, x?. to keep 
Re take, v. to take again 
Re tire, v. to withdraw,retreat 
Re treat, x?. to retire 
Re veal, v. to make known ? 

disclose [our 

Re vere, v. to reverence,hon- 
Re vile, X?. to reproach, vilify 
Re vise, x». to re-examine, t& 

review 
Re vive, x?. to renew, quickea 
Re voke, x>. to recall, repeal 
Sa lute, v. to greet, to hail 

n. salutation, a kiss 
Se crete, v. to hide, cc&ceal 



108 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

SECTION XLIV. 

TJte PupiPs address to his School Companions. 
My dear fellow pupils, 

The power of Art and Industry, has turned the wild 
wilderness and the barren waste into a fruitful field ; and 
now the dews of heaven light on those branches which 
gladden the heart of man. Even so the barren, barba- 
rous, uncultivated human mind, will produce nothing 
but ignorance and immorality, unless timely cultivated, 
by a well-appointed, and well-disciplined education. 

O Education, I owelhee much — Parents and Teach- 
ers, I owe you much also; and may the glow of grati- 
tude to my God and you, which this moment fills my 
breast, be taken as a pledge of my future care, to walk 
by the same rule, to mind the same things — and let us, 
my literary companions, joy and rejoice, that the bud 
and the fruit do in some degree appear. 

Let us to-day resolve, that nothing shall stop us in 
pursuing, with an ardour worthy the greatness of the 
acquisition, those heights and depths of learning which 
lie before us, and to which we know we have not yet at- 
tained. 

Let us ever remember, that vice and idleness are fa- 
tal obstacles to mental improvement ; that it is only by 
constant study and application, that w r e can attain to 
the honour of being good scholars, or famous literary 
characters — and this boon once obtained and virtuously 
applied, will procure for us credit and consequence in 
every station of life. 

And that this maybe the case, let us by all means hon- 
our God and keep his commandments; let us obedient- 
ly love and revere our parents ; let us live in peace and 
love with our school-fellows, and nobly emulate each 
other in striving which shall be the wisest and best. 

And let us, I entreat you, seriously and constantly 
regard the instructions, admonitions and reproofs of our 
respected teachers ; so shall we, by these means, lay a 
good foundation for the time to come, and with our ows> 
hands, form a laurel wreath, that shall never fade away f 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER 109 

SECTION XLV. 

The fall of the Leaf. 
See the leaves around us falling, 

Dry and wither'd to the ground ; 
Thus to thoughtless mortals calling. 

With a sad and solemn sound. 

u Sons of Adam, (once in Eden 

Blighted when like us he fell,) 
Hear the lecture we are reading : 

? Tis alas ! the truth we telL 

Virgins, much, too much presuming 

On your boasted white and red $ 
View us, late in beauty blooming, 

Number'd now among the dead 

Griping misers, nightly waking, 

See the end of all your care ; 
Fled on wings of our own making, 

We have left our owners bare. 

Sons of honour, fed on praises, 

Fluttering high in fancy'd worth ; 
Lo ! the fickle air that raises, 

Brings us down to parent earth. 

Youth, though yet no losses grieve you, 

Gay in health and manly grace, 
Let not cloudless skies deceive you ; 

Summer gives to Autumn place. 

Venerable sires, grown hoary, 

Hither turn the unwilling eye ; 
Think amidst your falling glory, 

Autumn tells a winter nigh. 

Yearly in our course returning, 

Messengers of shortest stay ; 
Thus we preach the truth concerning, 

Heaven and earth shall pass away. 

On the tree of Life Eternal, 

Man, let all thy hopes be stay'd ; 
Which alone, for ever vernal, 

Bears a leaf that ne'er shall fade." 
10 



110 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

SECTION XLVI. 

The Cuckoo. 

Hail beauteous stranger of the wood 

Attendant on the Spring ! 
Now heaven repairs thy vernal seat, 

And woods thy welcome sing. 

Soon as the daisy decks the green, 
Thy certain voice we hear ; 

Hast thou a star to guide thy path, 
Or mark the rolling year ? 

Delightful visitant ! with thee 
I hail the time of flowers, 

When heaven is fiiPd with musick sweet 
Of birds among the bowers. 

The school-boy wandering in the wood, 
To pull the flowers so gay, 

Oft starts, thy curious voice to hear, 
And imitates thy lay. 

Soon as the pea puts on the bloom, 
Thou fly'st the vocal vale ; 

An annual guest in other lands* 
Another spring to hail. 

Sweet bird, thy bower is ever green, 

Thy sky is ever clear ; 
Thou hast "no sorrow in thy song, 

No winter in thy year. 

O ! could I fly, Fd fly with thee ; 

We'd make, with joyful wing, 
Our annual visit o'er the globe, 

Companions of the spring. 



SECTION XLVII. 

Heavenly Wisdom. 

How happy is the man who hears 
Instruction's warning voice ! 

And who celestial wisdom makes 
His early, only choice. 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Ill 



For she has treasures greater far 
Than east or west unfold ; 

And her reward is more secure 
Than is the gain of gold. 

In her right hand she holds to view 

A length of happy years ; 
And in her left, the prize of fame 

And honour bright appears. 

She guides the young, with innocence, 

In virtue's path to tread : 
A crown of glory she bestows 

Upon the hoary head. 

According as her labours rise, 

So her rewards increase : 
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, 

And all her paths are peace. 



SECTION XLVIIL 

Words of two syllables, accented on_ the second; Continued. 



Se cure, v. to make certain 
Se date, a. calm, serene 
Se duce, v. to tempt, mislead 
Se rene, a. calm, undisturbed 
Se vere, a. cruel, rigid 
Sin cere, a. pure, honest 
Sub due,v. to conquer, reduce, 

tame, oppress 
Sub lime, a. exalted, high 
Sub scribe, v. to sign, consent 
Sue ceed, v. to follow in or- 
der ; to prosper 
Sup ply, v. to fill up, relieve ; 

n. a relief of want, aid 
Sup port, v. to sustain, endure 
Sup pose, v. to imagine 
Su preme, a. highest in digni- 
ty or authority 
Sur prise, v. to take unawares, 
astonish ; n. astonishment 
Sur vive, v. to remain alive, 
to live after 



Sus tazn, v. to bear, support 
tin bind, v. to loose, untie 
Un clean, a. foul, filthy 
Un close, v. to open 
Un fa^r, a. not fair, dishonest 
Un fold 5 u. to expand,discover 
U nite, v. to join, to agree 
Un kind, a. not kind, cruel, 

unfavourable 
Un known, a. not known, not 

discovered [ous 

Un safe, a. not safe, danger- 
Un wise, a. defective in wis* 

dom, foolish 
Where by, ad. by which 
With hold, v. to keep back, 

restrain 
2 
A breast, ad. side by side 
A bridge, v. to shorten i 

Ab rupt, a. sudden, hasty 
Ab stract, v. to separate ideas 



112 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Ab surd, a. unreasonable 
Ac curse, v. to doom to misery 
Ac quit, v. to set free 
A dapt, v. to fit, to suit 
Ad dress, v. to speak or write 

to ; n. a verbal application 
A dept, n. one well versed in 

an art 
Adjust, v. to regulate 
Ad mit, v. to allow, to suffer 
Ad vance, v. to come forward 
Afflict, v. to grieve 
Af fix, v t to subjoin 
A' men', ad. so be it, so may 

it be, so it is 
A mend, v. to correct 
A midst, pr. in the middle 
An nex, v. to join, add 
Ar rest, v. to seize, stop 
As cend, v. to go up, rise 
As sess,i>. to charge with any 

certain sum 
As sist, v. to help, relieve 
At tempt, v. to try, attack 
Be friend, v. to favour 
Be he&d, v. to cut off the head 
Ca nal, n. a course of water 

made by art ; a passage 
Ca ress, v. to treat kindly 
Ce ment, v. to unite, join 
Col lect, v. to gather 
Com mence, v. to begin 
Com mend, v. to praise 
Com pact, a. firm, close, solid 
Com pel, v. to force, drive 
Con cur, v. to agree, unite 
Con dense, v. to make or grow 

more thick 
Con fess, v. to acknowledge 
Con nect, v. to join, unite 
Con sent,*?, to agree to 
Con sist, v a to be made of 
€on struct, t\ to form, build 



Con suit, v. to ask adviee 
Con temrc, v. to despise 
Con tempt, n* scorn, disdain 
Con tend, v. to dispute, strive 
Con tent, a. satisfied, easy 
Con tract,!;, to shorten, draw 

together ; to bargain 
Con verse,?;, to discourse,talk 
Cor rupt, a. wicked ; rotten 
Cra vat, n. an ornament for 

the neck 
De bel ? v. to conquer 
De duct, v. to subtract 
De feet, n. fault, blemish 
De fend, v. to guard, protect 
De pend,?;. to rely on, trust to 
De sert, v. to forsake, leave 
De serve, ». to be worthy of 
De sist, v. to cease from, stop 
Di gress, v. to depart from the 

subject 
Dis miss, v. to discharge, to 

send away 
Dis pel, v. to drive away 
Dis perse, v. to scatter 
Dis tinct, «. clear, unconfused 
Dis tract, v. to perplex, vex, 

make mad 
Dis tress, n. misery, want 
Dis turb,z>. to perplex, disquiet 
Di vest, v. to strip,make naked 
Di vulge, v. to publish, reveal 
E clipse, n. an obscuration of 

a luminary 
E lapse, v. to pass away 
E lect, v. to choose, select 
E merge, v. to rise out of ob- 
scurity 
E mit, v. to send forth, dis- 
charge 
En act, v. to establish, decree 
En camp, v. to pitch tents 
En chant v.to bewitch charm 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



113 



En hance, r. to raise the price 
E naugh, a. sufficient, plenty 
En rich, v. to make wealthy 
En trap, v. to entangle,to trap 
E quip, v. to dress or fit out 
E vent, n. incident, end 
Ex act, a. accurate, punctual 
Ex eel, v. to out do, surpass 
Ex cess, n. intemperance, su- 
perfluity 
Ex ist, v. to have a being 
Ex pect, v. to wait or look for 
Ex pel, v. to drive out, banish 
Ex pend, v. to lay out, spend 
Ex pense, n. cost, charges 
Ex pert, a. ready, skilful 
Ex tend, v. to stretch out, 

enlarge 
Ex tent,w. compass of a thing 
Ex tinct,c.extinguished, abol- 
ished, at an end [select 
Ex tract, v. to draw out of, 
Ex ult, v. to rejoice 
Fare well, n. adieu, leave 
Fi nance, n. revenue, income 
For bid, v. to order not to do 
For get, [g hard] v. to lose 

memory of 
For give,[g hard]r. to pardon 
Ful fil, v. to accomplish 
Gal lant, n. a suiter, lover, 

attendant 
Ha rangwe, n. an oration 
Im mense, a. unlimited 
Im merse, v. to put under wa- 
ter [drive on 
Im pel, v. to urge forward, to 
Im plant, v. to infix, insert 
Im print, v. to print ; to fix 

on the mind 
In cur, v.. to become liable to 
In dulge,v.to humour, gratify 
I» feet, v, to taint, polhite 



In fest, v. to disturb, harass 
In fleet, v. to change or vary ; 

to bend 
In flict, v. to punish, lay up- 
on, impose 
In fringe, v. to violate 
In sert,T;. to place in or among 

other things 
In sist, v. to urge, persist in 
In graft, v. to insert a sprig 
of one tree in another ; to 
fix deep 
In spect, v. to examine, view 
In still, u. to insinuate, to in- 
fuse by drops 
In struct, v. to teach, direct 
In suit, v. to treat with inso- 
lence 
In tend, v. to design, to meaa 
In tense, a. vehement, ardent 
In tent, n. a design, aim 
In ter, v. to bury 
In trench, v. to fortify with 
a trench [out 

In vent, v. to contrive, find 
In vert, v. to change, to turn 
upside down [array 

In vest, v. to confer, dress, 
In wrap, v. to cover, involve 
Ja pan, n. a varnish made to 

work in colours 
La ment, v. to mourn, weep 
Mis chance, n. ill luck 
Mis judge, v. to judge wrong 
Mis matfeh, v. to match un« 

suitably 
Mis print, v. to print wrong 
Mis trust, v. to suspect ; ft. 

suspicion 
Mo lest, v. to trouble, disturb 
North west, n. the point be 

tween north and west^ 
Ob ject, v. to oppose 
10* 



It* 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Ob serve, v. to watch, mind 
Ob struct, v. to liinder 
Oc cult, a. secret, hidden 
Oc cur, v. to come, to happen 
Offence, it. a crime, fault 
Offend, v. to displease, affront 
O mit, v. to leave out, pass by 
Op press, v. to injure, subdue 
Out run, v. to run faster than 

another 
Out wit, t*. to cheat, to over- 
come by stratagem 
Per haps, ad. peradventure 
Per mit, v. to allow, to suffer 
Per plex, v. to vex, disturb, 

entangle 
Per sist, v. to persevere 
Per vert, v. to mislead, corrupt 
Pos sess, v. to enjoy, obtain 
Pre diet, v. to foretell 
Pre fer, v. to regard more 
Pre fix, v. to place before 
Pre sent, x>. to exhibit ; to give 
Pre serve, v. to save, keep ; n. 

fruit preserved with sugar 
Pre tence, n. showing what is 

not real 
Vre tend, v. to show falsely, 

to show hypocritically 
Pre vent, v. to hinder, stop 
Pro fess, v. to declare openly 
Pro ject, v. to jut out ; to 

contrive, invent 
Pro pel, v. to drive forward 
Pro tect, v. to defend 
Pro test, v. to declare, affirm 
Pro tract, v. to lengthen 
Re %el, v. to oppose lawful 

authority 
Re build, v, to build over 

again 
Re cant, v. to recall, to re- 
tract an opinion a 



2 
Re cess, n. retirement, retreat, 

privacy 
Re dress, v. to set right, cor- 
rect ; n. remedy,amendment 
Re fit, v. to repair [back 

Re fleet, v. to think ; to throw 
Re fresh, v. to revive, cheer 
Re fund,v. to pay back,restore 
Re gret, n. grief, sorrow; v. to 
repent, to grieve at [off 
Re ject, v. to refuse, to cast 
Re lent, v. to feel compas- 
sion, to soften 
Re mit, v. to forgive ; to send 

money to a distant place 
Re pass, v. to pass again 
Re past, n. a meal, the act of 

eating 
Re pent, v. to think on any 

thing with sorrow 
Re print, v. to print a new 

edition 
Re pulse, v. to beat back 
Re quest, v. to solicit, ask $ 

n. an entreaty, petition 
Re sent, v. to take as an affront 
Re serve, v. to keep in store, 

to retain 
Resist, v. to oppose,withstand 
Re spect, v. to regard ; n. es- 
teem, regard 
Re strict, v. to limit [elusion 
Re suit, n. consequence, con- 
Re tract, v. to recall, recant 
Re turn, v. to come or go back; 

n. the act of coming back 
Re venge, n. return of an in- 
jury ; v. to return an injury 
Ro bust, a. strong^ vigorous 
Se lect,*u. to choose in prefer- 
ence ; a. well chosen 
Sub mit, v. to yield, resign 
Sue cess, it, prosperity, event 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



115 



Su perb, a. grand, pompous 
Sup press, v. to crush; conceal 
Sur pass, v. to excel, exceed 
Tran* act, v. to manage, ne- 
gotiate [convey 
Trans fer, v. to make over, to 
Trans gress, v. to violate 
Un fit, a. improper,unsuitable 
Un just, a. dishonest 
Un til, ad. to the time that 

3 
Ab hor, v. to hate, detest 
Ac cord, v. to agree 
A dorn, v. to dress, decorate 
Ap plause, n. publick praise 
As sault, v. to attack, invade 
Be cause, conj. for this reason 
Con form, v. to comply with 
De fault, n. failure, neglect 
De form, v. to disfigure 
De fraud, v. to cheat, injure 
Ex alt, v. to lift up, magnify, 
extol [vise 

Fore warn, v. to caution, ad- 
For lorn, a. forsaken, lost 
In form, v. to instruct, to tell 
In stall, v. to put into posses- 
sion, invest 
Out waJk, v. to walk faster 

than another 
Per form, v. to do, to execute 
Re cord, v. to register, enrol 
Re form, v. to grow better, 

to amend 
Re morse, n. pain of guilt 
Re sort, v. to have recourse to 
Re tort, v. to throw back, to 

return 
Re ward, n. recompense ; v. 

to give in return, to pay 
Trans form, v. to change the 
shape [retreat 

WiTH m draw, v. to take back,to 



Ca tarrA, n* a disease in the 

head 
Com mand,tf. to order,govem 
De mand, n. a claim ; v. to 

ask, to claim 
Dis arm, v. to divest of arms 
Dis charge, v. to dismiss ; un- 
load ; to fire 
En large, v. to increase, swell 
Guit ar, n. an instrument of 

musick 
Im part, v. to communicate, 

to give 
Re gard, n. esteem ; v. to re 

spect, to esteem 
Re mark, ^.observation, note ; 

v. to observe 
Un bar, v. to unbolt 

5 
Ab scond, v. to hide one's self 
Ac cost, v.-\o address 
Be long, v. to be the proper- 
ty of; to appertain to 
Be yond,j?r. farther onward 

than ; remote from 
Dis solve, v. to melt, separate 
Ex tol, v. to praise, magnify 
In volve, v. to entangle, in- 

wrap 
Pro long, v. to lengthen out 
Re solve, v. to determine ; to 

answer, solve 
Re sponse, n. an answer,reply 
Re volve, v. to perform a rev- 
olution 
Un lock, v. to open a lock 

6 
A do, n. trouble, difficulty 
Ap prove, v. to like, justify 
Dis prove, v. to confute 
Fore doom, v. to predestinate 
Im prove, v. to make or be- 
come better 



116 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED. 



Mis do, v. to do wrong 
Out do, v. to excel, surpass 
Re move, v. to change place ; 

to put from its place 
Re proof, ». blame, rebuke 
Re prove, v. to chide, blame 
Sur towt, n. a close overcoat 
Un do, v. to ruin ; to take to 

pieces 

8* 

A bove, pr. higher in place 
or rank ; ad. overhead 

a \ i pr» mingled with 

A mongst, ) r b 

Be come, v. to befit, adorn 
Un done, a. ruined ; not per- 
formed 
9 
Con vey, v. to carry, transfer 
O bey, v. to pay submission to 
Sur vey, v. to overlook, view, 
measure 

10 

Cha grin, [ch like sh] n. ill 

humour, vexation 
In trig?*e, n. a plot, scheme ; 
v. to carry on private designs 
Machine, [ch like sh] n. any 

engine to aid human power 

in the application of force 
Ma rine, a. relating to the sea 
Po lice, ft. the government of 

a city 
ot 
A void, v. to sjvun, escape 
\p point, v. to fix, establish 
Ex ploit, n. an achievement, 

action 
Me moir, ». an account of any 

thing 
Re joice, v. to be glad, exult 
Re join, v. to join again 
Sub join, v. to add at the end 



A ° V 

An noy, v. to vex, to incom- 
mode 
De coy, v. to allure, mislead 
De stroy, v. to kill, to put an 
end to [to busy 

Em ploy, v. to keep at work, 
En joy, v. to feel with pleas- 
ure ; to obtain possession 
of ; to live in happiness 
ou 

A bound, v. to have in great 

plenty 
A bout, pr. near to, relating 
Ac count, n. a computation 

of debts or expenses 
A mount, n. the sum total 
An nounce, v. to publish 
A round, pr. on every side, 

about 
A rouse, v. to wake from 

sleep ; to excite [to quaff 
Ca rouse, v. to drink freely, 
Com pound, v. to mingle, 

to mix 
Con found, v. to perplex 
De vour, v. to eat ravenously 
De vout, a. pious, religious 
Ex pound, v. to explain 
Pro found, a. deep, learned, 

submissive 
Pro nounce, v. to speak, utter 
Pro pound, v. to propose,ofler 
Re nounce, v. to disown 
Re sound, v. to echo, to re- 
turn sounds 
Sur round, v. to encompass, 

enclose 
With out, pr. not with ; not 

within compass of 

010 

Al low, v. to admit 

En dow, v. to give a portion 

Re nown, n. farae,celebrity 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED lit 

SECTION XLIX. 

Drunkenness. 
If by an awful visitation of divine Providence, there 
were spreading over all parts of this country a foul and 
loathsome leprosy, which poisoned and disfigured the 
bodies of its victims, and affected their minds with mad- 
ness and idiotism ; if this leprosy had seized a great part 
of our useful labourers, and rendered them a burden to 
community ; if the prospects and the hopes of a large 
portion of our promising young men had been already 
blasted and destroyed by it ; if it had infected, more or 
less, every town and village, and were spreading its 
ravages from year to year, wider and yet wider ; if this 
were the actual condition of our country, there is no 
telling how great would be the alarm. 

But Heaven be praised, neither this nor any similar 
calamity, has been brought upon our country by the 
direct hand of Providence, which has showered on us 
blessings without number, and in great abundance. 
But human folly and wickedness abuse the kindness of 
Providence, and change its blessings into curses. 

Let sober reason judge, whether drunkenness, habit- 
ual drunkenness, be not as bad as the fatal leprosy de- 
scribed ; nay, even worse. It impairs and corrupts both 
body and mind, and brings down the noble creature man 
to a level with the brute. 

It destroys all moral principle, all sentiments of hon- 
our, and all feelings of humanity. It changes good 
nature to churlishness, a kind husband to an unfeeling 
monster, a dutiful son to an unprincipled villain without 
natural affections, and an industrious thriving man to 
an idle vagabond. 

It preys upon and devours every thing that is esti- 
mable and amiable, both in disposition and character. 
It eats up the substance of its votaries, and is an inlet 
to all other vices, and to almost every evil and calamity 
that can be named. This detestable demon might say 
in truth, "my name is legion, for we are many." Ma- 
ny indeed are the evils, the calamities and abominations 
that follow in the train of drunkenness. 



118 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

Who hath wo ? Who hath sorrow ? Who hath con- 
tentions ? Who hath wounds without cause ? The drunk- 
ard. Whose fields are neglected and overgrown with 
thorns and brambles? Whose house is tumbling into 
ruins for want of necessary repairs ? Whose wife is con- 
sumed with weeping ? Whose babes are suffering hun- 
ger and nakedness ? The drunkard's. 

Who disturb people's repose with their midnight rev- 
ellings and yells ? Who are the persons most commonly 
engaged in quarrels, in fightings, in riots, and in all 
scenes of confusion and uproar ? Drunkards. Who are 
the lowest of all madmen, the most despicable of all 
idiots? Drunkards. 

The natural idiot and madman, who have become 
so by the act of God, are objects not of reproach, but 
of compassion. But the drunkard, who is in fact an 
idiot or a madman for the time, is so by his own volun- 
tary act ; he wilfully quenches in himself the lamp of 
reason, and with his own suicidal hands, destroys that 
noble faculty which distinguished him from the beasts 
that perish. 

— Q&&-— 

SECTION L. 

Ravages of Dissipation. 

Not the jaws of Charybdis, nor the hoarse rocks in Scylla 5 
Not all the fell dangers that lurk in the deep, 

Not the earthquake's deep yawn, nor the volcano's lava, 
Not the pestilence' breath, nor the hurricane's sweep : 

Not all the dread monsters that live through creation 
Have caus'd such destruction, such misery and wo, 

As from that arch pest of mankind, dissipation ; 
Through the civilized world it doth constantly flow. 

*Tis a vortex insatiate on whose giddy bosom 
The victim is whirl'd till his senses are gone, 

Till, lost to all shame and the dictates of reason, 
He lends not one effort to ever return. 

Ah ! view on its surface the ruins of genius, 

The wreck of a scholar, the christian and friend 






THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER* 119 

The learning, the wit, the graces that charmM us, 
In the mind-drowning bowl meet a premature end. 

Ah ! hear, drown'd in tears, the disconsolate mother, 

Lament the lost state of a favourite son ; 
Hear the wife and the child, the sister and brother 

Mourn a husband, a father, a brother undone. 



SECTION LI. 

Description of a Battle. 

A free man takes a musket on his shoulder, and fix- 
«s on it the murderous bayonet ; he leaves his habita- 
tion,^ ploughman quits his plough, the handicraftsman 
his workshop, the young man deserts the hymeneal al- 
tar, a beloved son abandons an infirm father, and an af» 
flicted family : they go to swell the crowd of combat- 
ants, whose hearts are gradually opened to licentious- 
ness, ferocity and violence* 

Here are a hundred thousand opposed to as many of 
the opposite party ; they draw near each other in a vast 
plain, which will soon be covered with blood. What a 
prodigious number of men compacted against each 
other, spreading their moving phalanx, and ranged in 
combined order, to put each other to death ! 

Blind instruments silently await the signal ; fierce 
through duty, they are ready to destroy their fellow 
creatures without resentment or anger. The majestick 
sun rises, whose setting so many unhappy wretches will 
never behold. 

The earth is covered with verdure ; mild Spring with 
her azure veil, embraces the air ; nature smiles as a 
tender mother ; the glorious sun diffuses his beneficent 
rays, which gild and mature the gifts of the Creator : 
all is calm, all is harmony in the universe. 

Wretched mortals alone, agitated with gloomy fren- 
zy, carry rage in their bosoms ; they meet to slaughter 
each other on the verdant field. The armies approach ; 
the promised harvest is trodden under foot — death flies. 
What a horrible tumult ! All nature groans in an in- 
stant with the fury of man. 



120 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER 

Hear the thundering noise of those horrible instru- 
ments of human revenge ! Emulous of, and more terri- 
ble than the thunder, with their roar they drown the 
plaintive groans of the dying ; they repel soft pity, 
wishing to make a passage into the heart ; a cloud of 
smoke from gunpowder arises towards the^heavens, as 
if to hide a collection of 'such horrours. 

Alas ! who would have expected such a slaughter ? 
Tigers, bears and lions, impelled with voracious hun- 
ger, are not inspired with such atrocious cruelty* Be- 
hold these rivulets of blood ! Here twenty thousand 
men are sacrificed to the caprice of one ; behold them 
fall one upon another, nameless, unthought of, unre- 
gretted, into oblivion ! 

Thus perish these unhappy mortals ; the skies re- 
sound w T ith their lamentations ; trampled on by horses, 
by their countrymen, whom they vainly implore, they 
expire a thousand different ways, in the most horrible 
agonies. 

Others, yet more to be pitied, preserving a remnant 
of life, and consumed by thirst, the most intolerable of 
all torments, cannot yet die ; while others, forgetting 
death, surround them, fall furiously on their mutilated 
comrades, and without compassion or pity to their 
wounds, unmercifully strip their mangled, trembling 
limbs. 

Oh, Creator of the world ! is this man ? this the au- 
gust creature endowed with a feeling heart, and with 
that noble countenance that smiles erect towards hea- 
ven, who has such conceptions, who cherishes the soft 
emotions of pity, and generous transports of benevo- 
lence, who can admire virtue and greatness, and can 
weep with sensibility ? 

Is it his hand that can erect the standard of victory 
on heaps of carcasses, with an odious, triumphant joy ? 
Where is the victory ? I see nothing but tears and 
blood. Where is the triumph ? Plunder does not en- 
rich ; the tears of mankind will never make an indi- 
vidual happy ; for, what ambition sweeps in its unbri- 
dled career, fleets from the usurper's hand. 



THE AMERICAN INSTR CTER 



121 



SECTION LIL 

Words of three syllables, accented on the first. 
l 



A re a, n. superficial contents 
Beau ti ful, a. fair, comely 
Bravery, n. courage, heroism 
By stan der, n. a looker on, 

one unconcerned 
Ca pa ble, a. able, sufficient 
Care ful ness, n. watchfulness 
Care less ness, n. inattention 
Change a ble, a. inconstant, 

subject to change 
Cheer ful ness, n. liveliness 
Cu ri flus, a. exact, neat 
Dan ger ous, a. hazardous 
De cen cy, n. modesty, pro- 
priety 
Di a lect, n. manner of ex- 
pression, particular style 
Di a \ogue,n. conversation be- 
tween two or more persons 
Di a per, n.'a. kind of flower- 
ed linen 
Di a ry, n. a daily account, a 
journal [tain 

Du bi ous, a. doubtful, uncer- 
Du ra ble, a. lasting, firm 
Du ti ful, a. obedient, submis- 
sive, kind 
Ea si ly, ad. without difficulty 
E vcn ness, n. levelness, reg- 
ularity 
JBu lo gy, n. praise ? encomium 
Faith ful ly, ad.honestly,truly 
Faith ful ness, n. honesty 
Fa tai ly, ad. mortally 
Fa vour ite,n. one who is much 

beloved 
Fear ful ness, n. timorousness 
Fee ble ness, n. weakness, in- 
firmity 



Fier 



y, a, warm, passionate 



Fi na ble, a. subject to a fine 



Fi nal ly, ad. lastly 
Fi ner y, n. fine dres$ show 
Fla vtfur ous,a. fragrant, odor- 
ous [bility 
Flu en cy, n. eloquence, volu- 
Fo li age, n. leaves, tufts of 
trees [ful 
For ci ble, a. strong, power- 
Fra gran cy, n. sweetness of 

smell 
Free hoi der, n. a person pos- 
sessed of a freehold 
Fre quent ly, ad. often 
FrigAt ful ly, ad. dreadfully, ^ 

terribly 
FrigAt ful ness, n. the power 

of impressing terrour 
Fu ri 0us, a. mad, fierce 
Ge ni us, n. intellectual pow- 
er, nature, wit 
Glo ri fy, v. to praise, worship 
Glo ri 0us, a. noble, excellent 
Grace ful ly, ad. elegantly 
Grace ful ness, n. elegance, 

comeliness 
Grate ful ness, n. gratitude 
Gree di ness, n. ravenousness 
Grfev 0us ly, ad. painfully 
Has ti ly, ad. in a hurry 
Hate ful ness, n. odiousness 
Heed less ness,». carelessness 
Ho li ness, n. piety, religion 
Home li ness, n. plainnoss, 

coarseness, rudeness 
Hu man ize, v-. to soften, to 

civilize 
I die ness, n. lazi»ess, sloth 
I vor y, n. the tusk of the el- 
ephant [jewels 
Jew el ler, n. one who deals in 
Jo vi al, a* merry, cheerful 



222 



THIS AMERICAN m&TRUCTfilU 



Ju bi lee, iu a publick festivi- 
ty, a feast 
Ju ry man, n, a person who 

serve*, on a jury 
Ju ve nile, a. youthful, young 
Knsk ver y, n. dishonesty, de- 
ceit, vijlany 
Know ing ly, ad. designedly, 

wilfully 
La hour er, n. one who is em- 
ployed in toilsome work 
Ladyship, n. the title of a lady 
La 7A ness, n. idleness, sloth- 
fulness 
Le gal ly, ad. lawfully 
Li a ble, a. subject, exposed 
Li' bel bus, a. defamatory, 
abusive [books 

Li bra ry, n. a collection of 
Like li hood, n. probability 
Li on ess, n. a female lion 
Live li hood, n. the means of 

living, maintenance 
Live li ness, n. briskness 
LoaTH some ness, n. the qual- 
ity of raising hatred 
<one li ness, n. solitude 
xhd li ness, n. humility 
Lu era tive, a. profitable 
Lu di crais, a. sportive, mer- 
ry, burlesque 
Lu mi nous,/!, bright, shining 
Ma son ry, n. the craft or 

work of a mason 

Me di ate, z*..to endeavour to 

reconcile [or state 

Medium, n. a middle place 

MeeiOing house, n. a place of 

worship 
Me te or, n. a body in the air 
or sky of a luminous tran- 
sitory nature [tion 
Mo tion less, a. without mo* 



Mi ero scope, ». an optick in- 
strument for viewing small 
objects 
Mow! di ness, n. the state of 

being mouldy 
Mourn ful ly, ad. sorrowfully 
Mourn ful ness, n. sorrow,grief 
Mu si cal, a. harmonious, me- 
lodious 
Mu ti late, v. to deprive of 

some essential part 
Mu ti ny, n. insurrection, se- 
dition yv. to rise against , 
authority 
Nee die work, n. work done 

with a needle 
Night in ga!e,n. a kind of bird 
No ble man, n. a man of high 

rank 
No ble ness, n. dignity 
No bod y, n. not any body 
No ti fy, v. to make known, 

declare 
No tion al, a. imaginary [ber 
Nu mer al, a. relating to num- 
Nu mer ous, a. containing 
many [food 

Nil tri ment, n. nourishment, 
O di 0us, G.hateful,abominable 
O pen ing,n. a breach, aperture 
O pen \y^ ad. publickly 
O plum, n. a medicine used 

to promote sleep 
O ver board, ad. oif or out of 

the ship 
O ver plus, n. what is mo 

than sufficient 
Pa gan ism, n. heathenism 
Pain ful ness, n. pain, afilieti 
Pa per mill, n. a mill in whiclfc 

paper is made 
Pa pa cy, n. popedom, popish 
dignity 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



123 



Pa tient iy, ad. quietly 

Pa tri ot, n. a lover of his 

country 
Pay a ble, a. to be paid, due 
Pay mas ter, n. one who pays, 

or is bouncl to pay 
Peace a ble, a. quiet 
Peace a bly, ad. quietly, with- 
out disturbance [ et ly 
Peace ful ly, ad. mildly, qui- 
Pee vish ness, n. fretfulness 
Pe ri od, n. a full stop ; date ; 

end, conclusion 
Pi e ty, n. a discharge of du- 
ty to God, and to parents 
Pi ous ly, ad. in a pious man- 
ner, religiously 
Pi ra cy, n. robbery on the sea 
Play fel loz#, n. a companion 

in amusement 
Pli a ble, a. flexible, limber 
Po et ess, n. a female poet 
Po e try, n. metrical compo- 
sition, poems 
Po per y, n. the popish reli- 
gion, the religion of the 
church of Rome 



1 

Pu ri fy, v. to make pure 
Pu ri ty, n. clearness, chasti- 
ty, innocence 
Pu tre fy, v. to rot, corrupt 
Qui et h\ad. calmly , peaceably 
Qui et ness, n. stillness, peace 
Ra di ance,7i.a sparkling lustre 
Ra di ant, a. shining^parkling 
Re al ly, ad. truly [sons 

Rea son er, n. one who rea- 
Re cent ly, ad. lately, newly 
Ri ot ous, a. licentious, luxu- 
rious, wanton 
Ri val ry, n. competition, emu- 
lation 
Sa cred ness, n. holiness 
Sale a ble, a. fit for sale, mar- 
ketable 
Se ere cy, n. privacy, solitude 
Se cret ly, ad. privately 
Se ri ous. a. solemn, sober 
Shame ful ly, acZ.disgracefully 
Si lent iy, ad. without noise 

or words 
Shi very, n. servitude, the 
condition of a slave 
ep i nest. n. drowsiness 
Por ta ble, a. that which may ' Spite fid ness. n. malice, spite 
be carried . counterfeit 

Por c china ware *w ard ship, n. the office of 

n. one who su- | ■ a steward 
pel-intends a Sice Su i ride, n. self-murder 

Pust oi n ta bic, flu fit, proper,agree- 

letters are delivered for | able [some 

Te di ous. a. wearisome, ick- 



[ereis 



conveyance 
Po ten tate, it. amonarcii, sov 
Pre am ble, n. an introduction 
mi n in, n. a reward 
l i ous, a. antecedent, go- 
ing before 
Pri ma ry, n. original, first 
Pri va cy, u. secrecy, retreat 
Pri vate ly, ad. secretly 



The o ry, n. speculation, 
scheme, plan 

The a tre, n. a play-house, 
place for shows 

Ti tie page, n. the page con- 
taining the title of a book 

U ni form, a. similar to itself, 
regular 



124 



THE AMERICAN INSTJRITCTER. 



U ni ty, «. concord, the state 

of being one 
U ni vers*, n. the general sys- 
tem of things ; the world 
U su al, [s like zh] a. com- 
mon, frequent 
Va can cy, n. a vacant place 
Va ri ance, n. disagreement 
Va ri aus, a. different 
Vi o lence, w. force, outrage 
Vi o lent, a. forcible, furious 
2 

Ab so lute, a. not limited, 
complete [event 

Ac ci dent, n. an unforeseen 
Ac cu rate, a. very exact 
Ac tu ate, [ak tshu ate] v. to 
' put in action 
Ad e quate, a. equal to 
Ad jec tive, n. a word added 
to a noun [officer 

Ad mi ral, n. a principal sea- 
Ad vo cate, n. a pleader 
Af fa ble, a. easy of manners 
Ag gra vate, v. to make worse 
Ag o nize, v. to be in great 

pain 
Ag & ny, n. violent pain 
Al ge bra, n. a kind of arith- 
metick 
1 Al pha bet, ?u the letters of a 
language 
Am i ty, ft; friendship [limb 
Am pu tate, v. to cut off a 
An ce& tor, n. one from whom 

we descend 
An ec dote, n. a piece of se- 
cret history 
An i mal, n. a living creature 
An i mate,??, to quicken 
An nu al, a. yearly 
Ap pe tite, n. a desire of food 
Aq tre duct, n. a water pipe 



As pi rate, v. to pronounce 

with full breath 
At mos phere, n. the air that 

surrounds the earth 
Av a rice, n. covetousness 
Av er age,.n. mean proportion 
Ax le tree, n. the pin on which 
a wheel turns [man 

Bach e lor, n. an unmarried 
Bash ful ness, n. want of con- 
fidence, diffidence 
Bat tie Six, n. a weapon 
Ben e fit, n. favour, profit 
Big ot ed, a. superstitious 
Big ot ry, n. prejudice, blind 

zeal 
Bit ter ness, n. a bitter taste ; 

malice ; grief 
Bles sed ness, n. happiness, 

felicity 
Brev i ty, n. shortness 
Bur den some, #. troublesome 
But ter fly, n. a beautiful in- 
sect 
But ter y, w. the place where 

provisions are kept 
Cal cu late, v. to reckon 
Cal en dar, n. a yearly regis- 
.., ter, an almanack 
Can die stick, n. an instru- 
ment that holds candles 
Can is ter, n. a box to hold 

tea, &r. 
Can ni bal, n. a man-eater 
Cap i tal, n. principal sum ; 
stock ; large letter ; chief city 
Cap ti vate, v. to charm 
Cat a logwe, n. a list of names 
Cat a ract, n t a waterfall 
Cav al ry, n. horse troops 
Cel e brate, v. to praise 
Cer tain ty,n.exeniption froni 
doubt 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTERc 



125 



Cer ti fy, v. to give certain 

information 
Cham pi on, n. a hero 
Chan eel lor, n. an officer of 
state [ty 

Chan cer y, n. a court of equi- 
CAar ac ter, w. a mark, letter ; 
reputation [pleasure 

Char i ot, n. a carriage of 
Char i ty, n. love, affection,. 

tenderness, alms 
CAym is try, n. the art of se- 
parating bodies by fire 
Cit i zen, n. an inhabitant, 
freeman of a city [ish 

Civ il ize, v. to instruct, pol- 
Clam or ous, a. noisy 
Clar i fy, v. to purify [cy 
Clem en cy, n. humanity, mer- 
Cler gy man, n. a person in 

holy orders, a minister 
Clum si ness, n. awkwardness 
Cred i ble, a. worthy of credit 
Cred it*or, n. one who trusts 

or gives credit 
Crim i nal, n. a person accu- 
sed or guilty 
Crit i cal, a. exact, accurate 
Cul pa ble,a.blameable, guilty 
Cul ti vate, v. to till, improve 
Cum ber some, a. burdensome 
Dec o rate, v. to adorn 
Ded i cate, v. to consecrate, 

to devote 
Def i nitCj a. limited, exact 
Del e gate, n. a deputy, a 

commissioner 
Del i cate, a, nice, fine, soft 
Dep u ty, n. one who acts for 

another 
Des o late, a. solitary 
Des pe rate, a. without hope 
Des po tisriKft, absolute power 



Des ti ny, n. fate, doom 
Des ti tute, a. in want of, 

wretched 
Dif fer encc, n. disagreement 
Differ ent, a. unlike,contrary 
Dif fi cult, a. not easy, trou- 
blesome 
Dif fi dent, a. not confident, 

not certain 
Dig ni ty, n. grandeur, rank 
Dil i gence, n. industry 
Ed i fice, ti. a building, a fab- 
rick [prove 
Ed i fy, v, to instruct, im- 
Ed i tor, n. one that prepares 

any work for publication 
El e gance, n. beauty without 

grandeur, neatness 
El e gant, a. neat, beautiful 
El e gy, n. a mournful song 
El e phant, n. the largest of 

all beasts 
El e vate, v. to exalt, lift up 
El o quence, n. fluency of 

speech 
El o quent, a. having the pow- 
er of oratory 
Em a nate, v. to issue or flow 
Em i grant, n. Gne that emi- 
grates 
Em i grate ? v. to remove from 
one place to another [tion 
Em i nence, n. height, distinc- 
Em i nent, a. high, exalted, 

conspicuous 
Em per or, n. a monarch su- 

periour to a king 
Emp ti ness, n. a void space 
En e my, n. a foe, opponent 
En er gy, n. force, power 
En mi ty, n. ill will^ hatred 
En ter prise, n. a hazardous 
undertaking, attempt 



m 



«Ifi AMERICAN WSXRUCTBR* 



Ep i logtte> n. speech at the 

end of a play 
Ep i taph, n. an inscription 

upon a tomb-stone 
Esti mate, t>. to rate, to value 
Ev i dence, ?i. proof, witness 
Ev i dent, a. plain, clear 
Ex eel lent, a. eminent, be- 
ing of great virtue 
Ex e cute, v. to put to death ; 

to perform 
Ex er cise, n. labour, practice 
Ex tri cate, v. to set free, de- 
liver [mind 
Fac ul ty, n. ability, power of 
Fal la cy, n. deceit, fraud 
Fam i ly, n. a household, race 



Fel lota ship, ». intercourse^ 

partnership, connexion 
Fel on y, n. a capital crime 
Femi nine, a, female,delicate 
Fes ti val, n. a feast, a day of 

civil or religious joy 
Flat ter y, n. false praise 
Fret ful ness, n. peevishness 
Friv o bus, a. slight, trifling 
Fur Tner more, ad. besides^ 

moreover 
Gen oral, n. one that com- 
mands an army, a military 
officer 
Gen er mis, a. liberal, noble 
Gen tie ness, u. meekness^ 
tenderness 



SECTION LIIL 

Filial Affection and Intrepidity* 

Story of Volney Beckner, who was. devoured by a Shark % at 
the age of twelve years. 

The child who is here commemorated, had' not the 
advantage of descending from a wealthy or distinguish- 
ed family: but of what importance is birth ? What are 
the effects of riches ? They often corrupt the morals. 
He who is worthy, he who is honest and wise, has no 
need of ancestors* 

Volney Beckner was the son of a poor Irish sailor : 
he received but little instruction, except what related to 
his father's profession. Yet, destitute as he was of edu- 
cation, he is not the less deserving a place in biography. 

The Author of nature had endued his body with sin- 
gular address and agility, and his mind with unusual in- 
telligence and penetration. He had a soul of no com- 
mon temper ; and from his ^earliest years he discovered 
sentiments of valour, which would doubtless have led 
him to great enterprises, ha,d he not been extinguished 
in n>iaority. 

Soon after little Volfiey waswewed, his father taught 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 127 

him to move and guide himself in the water. He be- 
came so daring, so able, and so vigorous, that from his 
sixth year, he would follow the ship in which he had 
been brought up, swimming for a considerable distance; 
and when not extremely fatigued, he would cling dex- 
terously round a rope that was thrown out to him, and 
climb up into the vessel. 

As he grew older, he began to acquire the dexterity 
of rendering himself useful to the crew. In tempestu- 
ous weather, when the wind blew with violence, and the 
rain fell in torrents, he was not one of the last in climb- 
ing the ropes and sail-yards. ^ And when he was at the 
top of the highest mast, even in the fiercest of the storm, 
he appeared as little agitated as a passenger stretched 
upon his hammock. 

Such was his industry and improvement, that in his 
twelfth year he was judged worthy of a higher station, 
and double pay. The captain of the ship on board of 
which he served, cited him as a model to the other boys* 
He even said in the presence of the whole crew, " If 
this little man continues to conduct himself with so much 
prudence and valour, I have no doubt of his obtaining 
a place much above that which I occupy." 

Although little Volney was deprived of the study of 
letters, which cultivates the mind, increases our know- 
ledge, and extends our ideas, yet he loved virtue by in- 
stinct ; and made great efforts for the acquisition of hon- 
our and preferment. From several instances of his in- 
trepidity, which he manifested in many dangerous emer- 
gencies, the following is selected : since this alone ""& 
sufficient to confer lasting praise on the memory of the 
young sailor. 

It happened that a little girl, daughter of a rich Amer- 
ican, who was going to Port-au-Prince in France, slip- 
ped away from her nurse, (who was ill, and taking some 
repose in the cabin,) and ran upon deck : and whilst her 
eyes were fixed with anxious curiosity on the immense 
expanse of water, a sudden heaving of the ship caused 
a giddiness, and she fell into the sea. 

The father of Volney perceiving her, darted after 



128 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

her, and soon caught her by the frock. Whilst he swam 
with one hand to regain the vessel, and wdth the other 
held the child close to his breast, he perceived at a dis- 
tance, a shark advancing directly towards him. » 

He called out for assistance. The danger was press- 
ing. Every one ran upon deck, but no one durst go 
farther : they contented themselves with firing off seve- 
ral carbines. In the mean time, the shark, opening his 
frightful jaws, seemed eager to seize his prey. In this 
terrible extremity what strong men would not venture 
to attempt, filial piety excited a child to execute. 

Little Volney armed himself with a broad and point- 
ed sabre, threw himself into the sea, and plunging 
with velocity, he slipped under the animal, and bold- 
ly stabbed him with his sword. Thus suddenly as- 
sailed and deeply wounded, the shark quitted pursuing 
the sailor, and turned doubly exasperated against the 
aggressor, who attacked him with repeated blows. 

What a heart-rending sight ! How worthy of admira- 
tion ! To behold on one side, the American trembling 
for his little daughter, who seemed devoted to destruc- 
tion ; on the other, a generous mariner exposing his 
life for a child that was not his own ; and what was 
more dreadful, to see young Volney contending with 
an enemy so greatly superiour, and encountering inev- 
itable death, to divert it from his father ! 

But the combat was too unequal, and no refuge re- 
mained but a speedy retreat. A number of ropes were 
quickly thrown out to the father and son, and they each 
succeeded in seizing one. They were hastily drawn 
up ; already they were more than ten feet above the 
surface of the water ; already cries of joy were heard : 
" Here they are, here they are, they are saved !" 

Alas ! no — they were not all saved ! For the shark, 
enraged at seeing his prey about to escape from him, 
plunged to make a vigorous spring, then darting for- 
ward with impetuosity, he seized the intrepid and un- 
fortunate youth, and, with his sharp teeth, tore his bo- 
dy asunder while suspended in the air. The remaining 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 129 

part of his palpitating and lifeless body, was drawn up 
to the ship with his father and the little girl. 

Thus died, at the age of twelve years and some 
months, this hopeful young sailor. — When we reflect 
on the generous action which he performed, and the 
motive by which he was animated to the enterprise, we 
are penetrated with sorrow .to see him sink under it. 
Yet the memory of this great example has not perished 
with the individual. May a faithful relation of it, ani- 
mate, with a generous zeal, the tender minds of youth, 
and produce from age to age, the repetition of actions 
not less praise-worthy. 



SECTION LIV. 

Divine Providence, 

The Providence of God is over all his works ; he 
rules and directs with infinite wisdom. He has institu- 
ted laws for the government of the world, and has won- 
derfully adapted diem to the nature of all beings. In 
the depths of his mind, he revolves all knowledge ; the 
secrets of futurity lie open before him. The thoughts 
of thy heart are naked to his view, he knows thy deter- 
minations before they are made* 

Wonderful he is in all his ways ; his counsels are un- 
searchable ; the manner of his knowledge surpasses thy 
conception. Pay therefore to his wisdom, all honour 
and veneration, and bow thyself in humble and submis- 
sive obedience to his supreme direction. 

The Lord is gracious and beneficent ; he created the 
world in mercy and love. His goodness is conspicuous 
in all his works ; he is the fountain of excellence, the 
centre of perfection. The creatures of his hand declare 
his goodness, and all their enjoyments speak his praise. 
He clothes them with beauty, he supports them with 
food, and preserves them from generation to generation. 

If we lift up our eyes to the heavens, his glory shines 
forth ; if we cast them down upon the earth, it is full 
of his goodness. The hills and the valleys rejoice and 
sing ; fields, rivers and woods, resound his praise. 



ISO THE AMERICAN INSTKUCTEfU 

But thee, O man ! he has distinguished with peculiar 
favour, and exalted thy station above all the creatures* 
He has endued thee with reason, to maintain thy domin- 
ion ; he has furnished thee with language, to improve 
by society ; and exalted thy mind with the powers of 
meditation, to contemplate and adore his inimitable 
perfections. 

And in the laws which he has ordained as the rule of 
thy life, he has so kindly suited thy duty to thy nature, 
that obedience to his precepts is happiness to thyself, 
O praise his goodness with songs of thanksgiving, and 
meditate in silence on the wonders of his love. Let thy 
heart overflow with gratitude and acknowledgements ; 
let the language of thy lips be praise and adoration ; j 
let the actions of thy life show thy love to his law. 

The Lord is just and righteous, and will judge the 
earth with equity and truth. Has he established his 
laws in goodness and mercy, and shall he not punish 
the transgressors of them-? Think not, bold man, be- 
cause thy punishment is delaj^ed, that the arm of the 
Lord is weakened ; nor flatter thyself with hopes that 
he winks at thy evil doings. 

His eye pierces into the secrets of every heart, and 
he remembers them forever. He respects not the per- 
sons nor the stations of men : the high and the low, the 
rich and the poor, the wise and the ignorant, when the 
soul has shaken off the cumbrous shackles of this mor- 
tal life, shall equally receive from the sentence of God 
a just and everlasting retribution according to their 
works. Then shall the wicked tremble and be afraid ; 
but the hearts of the righteous shall rejoice in his judge- 
ments. 

O fear the Lord, therefore, all the days of thy life, 
and walk in the paths which he has opened before thee. 
Let prudence admonish thee, let temperance restrain, 
let justice guide thy hand, benevolence warm thy heart, 
and gratitude to Heaven inspire thee with devotion. 
These shall give thee happiness in thy present state* 
and bring thee to the mansions of eternal felicity in the 
paradise of God. 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



JSft 



SECTION L 

Words of three syllables, accented on the first ; Continued. 



Gen u in«, a. true, not spurious 
GAast li ness, n, horrour of 

countenance, paleness 
Gran a ry, n. a storehouse to 
put grain in [Hght 

Grat i fy, v. to indulge, de- 
Gratitude,n. a desire to re- 
turn benefits ; duty to ben- 
efactors [gravel 
Grav el ly, a. abounding with 
Grav i ty, n. weight,tendency 
to the centre ; seriousness 
Grid i ron, [grid i urn] n. a 
kind of grate to broil meat 
upon 
Gttilt i ness, n. the state of be- 
ing guilty [tent 
Hap pi ness, n. felicity, con- 
Haz ar d<ms, a. dangerous 
Heav i ness, n, weight, afflic- 
tion 
Hem i sphere, n. the half of 

a sphere or globe 
Her e sy, n. a fundamental 

errour in religion 
Her i tage, n. an inheritance 
Hes i tate, v. to pause, doubt 
Hex a gon, n. a figure of six 

equal side or angles 

Hin der ance,w. impediment, 

stop, obstruction [facts 

His tor y, n, a narration of 

Hur ri cane,w. a violent storm, 

a tempest 
Hyp o crite, n. a dissembler, 

a deceitful person 
Id i om, n. a particular mode 

of speech 
Id i ot, n. a fool [ledge 

Ig no ranee, n. want of know« 



Ig no rant, a. without know- 
ledge | 
Im i tate, v. to copy, to en- 
deavour to resemble 
Im pi mis, a. profane, wicked 
Im pie ment, n. an instrument 
Im pli cate, v. to entangle, 

embarrass 
Im po tent, «. weak, feeble 
Im pu dence, n. immodesty 
Im pu dent, a. shameless,bold 
In di cate, v. to point out, to 

show 
In di gencfi, n. want, poverty 
In di gent, a. needy, poor 
In di go, n. a plant used for 
dying blue [ness 

In do lence, n. laziness, idle- 
In do lent, a. lazy, careless 
In dus try, n, diligence 
In fa my ? w. disgrace,reproach 
In fa mous, a. vile, base [life 
In fan cy, n. the first part of 
In fan try, n. the foot soldiers 

of an army 
In fer ence, n. conclusion from 

previous arguments 
In fi del, n. an unbeliever 
In fi nite, a. unbounded, un- 
limited, endless 
In fluence,». ascendant pow- 
er ; v. to have power over 
In ju ry, n. mischief, hurt 
Inn keep er, n. One who keeps 

an inn 
In no cence, n. purity, harm- 

lessness, simplicity 
In no cent, a. harmless, pure 
In so lence P ». haughtiaegs, 
pride 



io2 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTOR* 



In so lent, a. proud, haughty 
In stant ly, ad. immediately 
In sti tute, v. to establish 
In stru ment, n. a tool ; deed 

of contract 
In tel lect, n. the power of un- 
derstanding, perception 
In ter cowrse, n. communica- 
tion 
In ter est, n. money paid for 

use ; concern, share 
In ter lude, n. a farce 
In ter val, n. space, distance 
In ter view, n. a sight of each 

other, a conference 
In ti mate, a. familiar 
In tri cate, a. perplexed, en- 
tangled [tate, vex 
Ir ri tate, v. to provoke, agi- 
Jab ber ing, n. idle talk 
J?:op ar dy, n. hazard, danger 
Jus ti fy, v. to defend, free, 

clear 

Kid nap per, n. one who 

steals human beings [rend 

Lac er ate, [c like s] v. to tear, 

Land hoi der, n. one who is 

possessed of land 
Landlady, n. the mistress of 

land or an inn 
Las si tude, n. fatigue 
Lat i tude, n. the distance 
north or south from the 
equator ; breadth 
Leg a cy, n. something given 

by will 
Leg i ble, [g soft] a~ such as 

may be read 
Leg is late, [gsoft] v. to make 

or pass laws 
Len i ty, n. mildness, mercy 
Leth ar gy, n. sleepiness, 
drowsiness 



Lev el ness, n. evenness 
Lev i ty, n. lightness, vanity 
Lib er al, a. generous, free 
Lib er ate, v. to set free, re- 
lease 
Lib er ty, n. freedom, leave, 
permission [taste 

Lie or ice, n. a root of sweet 
Lin e age, n. a family, race, 

progeny 
Lit er al, a. the plain primi- 
tive meaning 
Lit tie ness, n. want of dig- 
nity, smallness, meanness 
Luc ki ly, ad. fortunately 
Lux u ry, n. delicious fare ; 
excess in eating, dress, or 
pleasure 
Mack er el, n. a sea fish 
Mag ni fy, v. to praise, extol 
Mag is trate, fg soft] n. one 
invested with publick au- 
thority 
Mag ni tude, n. greatness 
M-aj es ty, n. dignity, sove- 
reignty ; a regal title 
Mai a dy, n. a disease 
Man age ment, n. conduct, 

government 
Man a ger, n. one who has 

the direction of any thing 
Man fid ly, ad. boldly, nobly 
Man i fest, v. to show plain- 
ly ; a. plain, open [nity 
Man li ness, n. bravery, dig- 
Man ner ly, ad. well behaved, 

civil, complaisant 
Man slaugA ter, n. the act of 
killing a person in a sud- 
den passion [hand 
Man u al, a. performed by the 
Man u script, n. a writte* 
book, a copy 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



133 



Mar in er, n. a seaman, sailor 
Mas cu line, a. male [ery 
Mas sa ere, n. murder, butch- 
Med i cine, n. any remedy ad- 
ministered by a physician 
Med i tate, v. to think, con- 
template 
Mel o dy,?2. harmony, musick 
Mem or y, n. the power of 
recollection, remembrance 
Mer chan dise, n. goods,wares 
Mer ci nil, a. compassionate 
Mer ci less, a. void of mercy, 
cruel . [planet 

Mer cu ry, w. quicksilver ; a 
Mer ri ly, ad, gaily,cheerfully 
Mer ri ment, n. mirth 
Mes sen ger, n. one who car- 
ries a message 
Met a phor, n. a change from 

natural to figurative 
Meth o dise, v. to regulate 
Mid ship man, n. an officer 

on board a ship 
Mil lin er, n. one who makes 
or sells bonnets, caps, &c. 
for women 
Mim ick ry, n, imitation, bur- 
lesque 
Min er al, n. matter dug out 
of mines ; a. consisting of 
fossil bodies 
Min is ter, n. an agent, an of- 
ficer of state ; a clergyman 
Min is try, n. office, service, 

agency 
Min strel sey, n. musick 
Mir a cle, n. some act or event 
that is beyond the ordina- 
ry laws of nature 
Mis ery, n. wretchedness, ca- 
lamity, misfortune [sen 
Mit i gate, v. to alleviate, ks- 
12 



Mit ti mus, n. a, warrant to 

commit an offender to prison 

Mul ber vj y n. a tree and its 

fruit [number 

Mul ti ply, v. to increase in 

Mul ti tude, n. a great number 

Mur der er, n. one who kills 

unlawfully [der 

Mur der ous, a. guilty of mur- 

Myr i ad, n. the number of 

ten thousand 
Mys ter y, n. something se- 
cret or hidden, wonder 
Nar ra tive, n. a history 
Nat u ral, [t like tsh] a. pro- 
duced by najture, easy 
Nav i gate, v. to pilot a ship, 

to sail, manage 
Neg a live, rc. a proposition by 
which something is denied 
Neg li gence, n. carelessness . 
Neg li gent, a. heedless 
NeTH er most, a, lowest 
Nim ble ness, n. quickness 
Num ber less, a. innumerable 
Nour ish ment, n. food, sus- 
tenance 
Nur ser y, n. a plantation of 

young trees 
Par*pa ble, a, gross, plain 
Pal pi tate, y. to beat as the 

heart, to flutter 
Par a ble, n. a similitude 
Par a dise, n. a place of feli- 
city ; the garden of Eden 
Par a graph, n. a distinct part 

of a discourse 
Par al lei, n. a line which is 
equally distant from some 
other line 
Par a phrase, «. an interpre- 
tation in many words 
Par a sol, n. a small umbrella 



134 



THE AiMERICAN INSTRUCTED. 



Pas sa ble, a. possible to be 

passed ; tolerable 
Pas sen ger, n. a traveller 
Pas sion ate, a. moved by 

passion 
Pas sivc ly, ad. submissively 
Pass o ver, n. a Jewish festival 
Pat ron age, n. protection, 

support 
Pat ro nise,v. to protect, sup- 



port, favour 



[stone 



Peb ble stone, n. a round hard 
Pec u late, v. to rob or de- 
fraud the publick 
Ped a gogwe, n. a school-mas- 
ter, pedant [age 
Ped i gree, n. genealogy, line- 
Pel i can, n. a kind of bird 
Pen al ty, n. punishment, for- 
feiture 
Pen e trate, v. to pierce 
Pen i tence, n. repentance 
Pen i tent, n. one sorrowful 
for sin ; a. contrite, repen- 
tant 
^en sion er, n. one who re- 
ceives a pension 
, en te cost, n. a feast among 
the Jews [gence 
Pen u ry, n. poverty, indi- 
Pep per box, n. a box used 

for holding pepper 
Pep per mint, n. a very hot 

kind of mint 
Per il 0iis, a. dangerous 
Per jur y, n. a false oath 
JW ma nent, a. durable 
Ter ^ cute, v. to oppress, 

vex, trouble 
Pes ti lence, n. a contagious 

distemper, plague 
Phys i cal, a. relating to na- 
ture ; medicinal 



Pil fer er, n. one who steals 

petty things 
Pil lor y, n. an instrument or 

place of punishment 
Pil low case, n. the cover of 

a pillow 
Pit i ful, a. tender,melancholy 
Pleas ant ness, n. delightful- 
ness [tion 

Plen i tude, n. fulness, reple- 
Plen ti ful, a. abundant 
Plun der er, n. a robber, a 
hostile pillager [tion 

Prac ti cal, a. relating to ac- 
Pref er ence, n. estimation 

above another 
Prej u dice, w. injury ; pre- 
possession 
Pres ent ly, ad. shortly, soon 
Pres i dent, n. one at the head 
of others ; the first magis- 
trate of the United States 
Prev a lent, a. victorious, pre- 
dominant 
Prim i tive,a. ancient,original 
Prin ci pal, a. chief, capital ; 
n. capital sum ; a head or 
chief man 
Prin ci pie, n. element, ori- 
ginal cause, rule 
Pris on er, n. a captive, one 
under arrest [vantage 

Priv i lege, n. a peculiar ad- 
Pub lick ly, ad. openly 
Pul ver ize, v. to reduce to 

powder or dust 
Punc tu al, [t like tsh] a* ex- 
act, nice 
Pun ish ment, n. any thing in- 
flicted for a crime 
Pur chas er, n. a buyer 
Quick sil ver, n. a fluid min- 
eral, mercury r . 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



135 



Rad i cal, a. primitive, ori- 
ginal 
Ran cor 0us, a. malignant 
Rap id ly, ad. swiftly 
Rap tur 011s, [t like tsh] a. de- 
lightful, transporting 
Rar e fy, v. to make thin 
Rar i ty, n. uncommonness 
Ras,p ber ry, n. a kind of fruit 
Rat i fy, v. to confirm, settle 
Rat tie snake, n. a kind of 
serpent [hungry 

Rav en ous, a. voracious, very 
Read i ness, n. being ready, 

willingness 
Rec kon ing, n. a computa-- 

tion, an estimation 
Rec om pense, v\ to repay, re- 
quite ; n. a compensation 
Rec on cile, v. to compose 
differences [correct 

Rec ti fy, v. to make right, 
Rec ti tude, n. uprightness 
Ref er ence, n. allusion to, 

the act of referring 
Reg i ment, [g soft] n. a body 

of soldiers 
Reg is ter, [g soft] n. a re- 
cord, list ; v. to record 
Reg u lar, a. agreeable to rule 
Reg u late, v. to adjust by 

rule, direct 
Rel a tive, n. a relation ; a. 

respecting 
Rem e dy,n. a medicine,cure: 
v. to cure, heal [store 

Ren o vate, v. to renew, re- 
Rep robate, n. a wretch aban- 
doned to wickedness ; v. to 
condemn, disallow 
Req ui site, a. necessary 
Res i den'ce, n. place of abode 
Res i due, n. that which is left 



Res o lute, a. determined,firm. 
Ret i nue, n. a train of atten- 
dants 
Rev e nuc, n. an income 
Rev er ence, ?i. veneration, 
respect; v. to regard with 
respect 
Rev er end, a. deserving re- 
verence ; the honorary ti 
tie of the clergy 
RAet o rick, n. oratory, the 

art of speaking 
Rid i cule, v. to expose to 
laughter ; n. laughter with 
contempt 
Rig id ness, [g soft] n. sever- 
ity, strictness 
Rig or ous, a. severe, harsh 
Riv u let, n. a small river 
Sal a ry, n. stated hire 
Sane ti fy, v. 4 to purify, to 

make holy 
Sane ti ty, n. holiness, piety 
Sat el lite, n. a small planet 

revolving round a larger 
Sat is fy, v. to content, recom- 
pense, convince [defame 
Scan da lize, v. to disgrace, 
Scrip tu ral, [tlike tsh] a. con- 
tained in the Bible, divine 
Scan da h?us, a. disgraceful 
Sec ond ly, ad. in the second 

place 
Sec u lar, a. worldly [senate 
Sen a tor, n. a member of the 
Sen si ble, a. wise, judicious 
Sen ti ment, n. thought, opin- 
ion [guard 
Sen ti nel, n. a soldier on 
Sep ar ate, v. to divide, part 
Sep ul cAre, n. a grave, tomb 
Ser a phim, n. one of the or- 
ders of angels 



136 THE AMERICAN INStRUCT£R„ 

SECTION LVI. 

Modesty. 

Modesty is one of the chief ornaments of youth, 
and has ever been esteemed a presage of rising merit : 
it covers a multitude of faults, and doubles the lustre of 
every virtue which it seems to hide : the perfections of 
men being like those flowers which appear more beau- 
tiful, when their leaves are a little contracted and fold- 
ed up, than when they are full blown, and display them- 
selves without any reserve to the view. 

Modesty is a polite accomplishment, and generally 
an attendant upon merit- It is engaging to the high- 
est degree, and wins the hearts of all our acquaintance. 
On the other hand, none are more disgusting in com- 
pany, than the impudent and presuming. 

The man who commends and speaks well of himself 
on all occasions, we generally dislike. On the contra- 
ry, he who studies to conceal his own deserts, who does 
justice to the merit of others, who talks but little of 
himself, and that with modesty, makes a favourable im- 
pression on the persons he is conversing with, capti- 
vates their minds, and gains their esteem. 

Modesty, however, widely differs from an awkward 
bashfulness, which is as much to be condemned as the 
other is to be applauded. When an awkward bashful 
fellow comes into company, he is exceedingly discon- 
certed : he knows not what position to place himself in ; 
his hands are very troublesome to him, which he keeps 
, continually in motion : if spoken to, he is in a much 
worse situation ;■■ and therefore answers with the utmost 
difficulty : whereas a gentleman who is acquainted with 
life, enters a room with gracefulness, and with a modest 
assurance addresses the company in an easy and natu- 
ral manner, and without the least embarrassment. 

This is the characteristick of good breeding, and a 
very necessary knowledge in our intercourse with men : 
for one of inferiour talents, with the behaviour of a gen- 
tleman, is frequently better received than a man of sense, 
with the address and manners of a clown. 

Some persons, from experiencing false modesty, havs 



, THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 137 

run into the other extreme, and acquired the character 
of impudence ; which is as great a fault as the other. 
But the well-bred man is easy and firm in every com- 
pany ; he is modest, but not bashful ; steady, but not 
impudent. He copies the manners of the better people, 
and conforms to their customs with ease and attention. 

Modesty is both in its source, and in its consequence, 
a very great happiness to the fair possessor of it ; it ari- 
ses from a fear of dishonour, and a good conscience ; 
and is followed immediately, upon its first appearance, 
with the reward of honour and esteem, paid by all those 
who discover it in any person living. 

It has been celebrated, especially in females, by the 
good and worthy of all ages and nations. But we need 
not recur to the testimony of ancient times, our own 
reason teaches us its importance, and our own observa- 
tion affords numerous examples of the happiness it affords. 

Modesty and propriety of behaviour, contribute so 
largely to the happiness of young Ladies, that their im- 
portance cannot be too strongly inculcated. They are 
admired or despised more on account of their behaviour, 
than beauty. The charms of the latter are of short du- 
ration, but the charms inspired by a modest and easy 
behaviour are never forgotten. 

The flower blossoms in the spring, and is nipt by the 
first frost : so beauty, at first sight, strikes the eye 
agreeably ; but no sooner do ill passions discover them- 
selves in the mind of the possessor, than she, who be- 
fore appeared beautiful, seems ugly and deformed. 

" Beauty in vain her pretty eyes may roll, 

" Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul." 



SECTION LVII. 

The pleasures resulting from a proper use of our 
faculties. 
Happy is that man, who, unembarrassed by vulgar 
cares, is master of himself, his time, and fortune ; who 
spends his time in making himself wiser^ and his for- 
tune in making others (and therefore himself) happier ; 
who. as the will and understanding are the two en* 

12* _ 



138 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



nobllng faculties of the soul, thinks himself not com- 
plete, till his understanding is beautified with the valu- 
able furniture of knowledge, as well as his will enriched 
with every virtue ; who has furnished himself with all 
the advantages to relish solitude and enliven conversa- 
tion ; who, when serious, is not sullen ; and when cheer- 
ful, not indiscreetly gay ; whose ambition is, not to be 
admired for a false glare of greatness, but to be belov- 
ed for the gentle and sober lustre of his wisdom and 
goodness. * 

The greatest minister of state Has not more business 
to do ? in a publick capacity, than he, and indeed every 
other man may find in the retired and still scenes of life. 
Even in his private walks, every thing that is visible 
convinces him there is present a Being invisible. Aid- 
ed by natural philosophy, he reads plain legible traces 
of the Divinity in every thing he meets ; he sees the 
Deity in every tree, as well as Moses did in the burn- 
ing bush, though not in so glaring a manner : and when 
he sees him, he adores him with the tribute of a grate- 
ful heart. . ■ 



SECTION LVIIL 
Words of three syllables , accented on the first ; Continued 



Set tie merit, n. a place in* 

■.habited 5 act of settling 
Sev en teen> a. seven and ten 
Sev en ty, a. seven times ten 
Sig na tare, n. a mark, a name 

signed 
Sig ni fy, v. to mean, express 
Sil ver smith, n. one who 

works in silver 
Sim i lar, a. like, resembling 
Sim pii fy } v. to make less 

complex 
Sin ful aess, n. wickedness 
Sin ^u lar, a. odd, rare, par- 
\ ticular 1 only one 



Skil ful ly, ad. witl^ skill 
Skil ful ness, w. dexterity, 

ability 
Slan der er, n. one who belies 

another 
Slan der ous, a. uttering re*- 

proachful falsehoods 
Slip per y, a. smooth, glib 
Spec i men, [c like s] n. an 
example, a sample [ly 

Splen did ly, ad. magnificent- 
Stip u late, v. to contract, bar- 
gain 
Strat a gem, n. artifice, trick 
Stub born ness, n. obstinacy 



THE AMERICAN LNSTRUCTER. 



139 



Sub se quent, a. following in 
due order 

Sub 5ti tute, n. one acting in 
the place of another 

Sud den ly, ad. in an unex- 
pected manner 

Suf fer er, n. one who en- 
dures or suffers 

Suf fer ing, n. pain suffered, 
distress 

Suf fo cate, v. to choke, stifle 

Sump tu 0us, [t like tsh] a. 
Gostly, expensive, splendid 

Sup pli cate, v. to implore, 
entreat 

Sus te nance, n. food, main- 
tenance 

Syllable,n.as"much of a word 
as is uttered by one articu- 
lation 

Sym pa thize, v. to feel with 
or for another 

Tax a ble, a. that which may 
be taxed 

Tel e sccpe„ n. a glass by 
which distant objects are 
viewed 

Tern per ance, n. moderate 
indulgence of appetites or 
passions 

Tern per ate, a. moderate 

Ten der ly, ad. mildly, gently 

Ten der ness, n. softness ; 
kindness [ful 

Ter ri ble, a. dreadful, fright- 

Ter ri fy, v. to fright, make 
afraid 

Tes ta ment, n. a will ; the 
name of the holy scripture 

Tes ti fy, v. to witness, certify 

Tim or 0us, a. fearful 

Trag e dy, [g soft] n. a serwus 
drama ; a mournful event 



Trav el ler, n. one who goes 

a journey 
Treach er <?us, a. faithless, 

perfidious 
Treach er y, n. deceit, fraud 
Treas u ry, [s like zh] n. a 
place in which money is 
kept 
Treas u rer, [s like zh] n. one 
who has the care of pub* 
lick money 
Tur bu lent, a. violent, tu- 
multuous - [fusion 
Tur bu lence, n. tumult, con- 
Tur pen tine, n. a gum from 

the pine 
Tyr an ny, n. cruel govern- 
ment, severity 
Vag a bond, n. a vagrant, a 

wanderer 
Van i ty, n. arrogance, pride^ 

emptiness 
Ven om ous, a. poisonous 
Ver i ly, ad. truly, certainly 
Vic tor y, n. eonquest,triumph 
Vin di cate, v. to justify, re- 
venge [plain 
Vis i ble, a. apparent, open, 
Wick ed ness, n. vice, guilt 
Wid qk> er, n. a man whose 

wife is dead 
Wil der ness, n. a desert 
Wil ful ly, ad. obstinately 
Wil ful ness, n. obstinacy, 

stubbornness 
Wrench ed ness, n. miser y } 

unhappiness 
3 

Al der man, n. a magistrate 
Al ma nack, n. a calendar 
Au di ence, n. hearers, audit- 
ory, interview 
Au tho rize, v. to empower 



140 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



For mal ist, n. one who is at- 
tached to forms 
For mer ly, ad. in time past 
For ti fy, v. to strengthen, to 

secure 
For ti tude,n.courage,strength 
For tu nate, [t like tsh] a. luc- 
ky, successful 
Gau di ness, n. showiness, fi- 
nery 
Haugh ti ness, n. pride, arro- 
gance 
Horse man ship,?z. art of riding 
Lau da ble, a. commendable, 

praiseworthy 
Law ful ly, ad. in a lawful 

manner 
Law ful ness, n. legality 
Mor bid ness, n. a diseased 

state 
Mor tal ly, ad. deadly, fatally, 
irrecoverably [vex 

Mor ti fy, v. to corrupt ; to 
Or di nance, n. law, rule 
Or gan ize, v. to construct, 

to form 
Or na ment, n. decoration, 

embellishment 
Or tho dox, a. sound in opin- 
ion or doctrine 
Plau si ble, a. superficially 
pleasing, fair [hog 

Por cu pine,n. a kind of hedge- 
Sau ci ness, ft. impudence, im- 
pertinence 
Scorn ful ly, ad. insolently 
Sor cer y, n. magick, enchant- 
ment 
Straw berry, n. a kind of fruit 
4 

Ar bi trate, v. to decide 
Ar cAe type, n. the original 
Ar du aus fd like j"* a. difficult 



Ar gu ment, n. debate, subject 

of discourse 
Ar se nal, n. a repository for 

arms, a magazine 
Ar ti fice, n. stratagem, trick 
Bar ba r#us, a. inhuman, cruel 
Car pen ter, n. an artificer in 

wood, a builder 
Car tridge box, n. a box to 
contain cartridges [ther 
Fa THer less, a. without a fa- 
Gar den er, n. one who cul- 
tivates gardens 
Gwar di an, n. one who has 
the care of another person 
Harm less ly, ad. innocently 
Har pjon y, n. agreement, just 

proportion of sound 
Harp si cAord, n. a musical 

instrument 
Hear ti ly, ad. sincerely 
Lmtgh a ble,«. exciting laugh- 
ter, droll 
Mar tin gal, n. a leathern 
strap used to curb a horse 
Mar tyr dom, n. the death of 

a martyr 
Mar vel bus, a. wonderful 
Par X\a ment, n. the chief as- 
sembly of England 
Par tial ly, ad. with unjust 

favour 
Par ti cle, n. any small por- 
tion of a greater substance 
Part ner ship,w. union in trade, 

joint interest 
Phar ma cy, n. the act of pre- 
paring medicines 
5 
Bot a ny, n. the knowledge or 

description of plants 
Bot torn less,#. without bottom 
Cog ni zance^n. judicial notice 



THE AMERICAS INSTRUCTED 



141 



Com e dy,n.a dramatick piece 
Com mon ly, ad. frequently 
Com pe tent, a. qualified, fit 
Con fer ence, n. discourse ; 
meeting for religious con- 
verse [ance 
Con fi dence, n. trust, assur- 
Con fi dent, a. positive, bold 
Con se crate, v. to dedicate 
Con se quencc, n. an effect, 

importance 
Con stan cy, n. firmness 
Con stant ly, ad.- steadily 
Con sti tute, v. to produce, 

appoint, to make 
Con ti nent, n. land not sep- 
arated by seas [verse v 
Con tra ry, a. opposite, ad- 
Doc u ment, n. an instruction, 
direction, precept [lows 
Fol low er, n. one who fol- 
For eign er, n. one of another 
country, an alien [round 
Glob u lar, a. like a globe, 
Glos si ness, n. smooth polish 
Hoi ly hock, n. a plant, the 
rose mallow [a feast 
Hoi y day, n. an anniversary, 
Hon est ly, ad. uprightly, 

justly 
Hon es ty,. n. justice, truth 
Hor ri ble, a. dreadful,terrible 
Jol li ty, n. merriment 
Lof ti ness, n. height ; haugh^ 

tiness 
Lou gi tude, n. length ; the 
distance of any part of the 
earth either east or west 
from any given place 
Lot ter y, n. a game of chance 
Moc ker y, n. derision,ridicule 
Mod er ate, a. temperate, 
mild ; v. to regulate- 



Mod est ly, dd. with modesty 
Mod esty,n.decency,chastity 
Mod i fy, *r. to change the 

form, to shape, soften 
Mon ar chy, n. a kingly gov- 
ernment ; a kingdom 
Mon i tor, n. one who warns 
of faults, or informs of duty 
Mon u ment, n. a memorial, 

tomb, pillar, statue 
Mor al ist, w. one who teach- 
es morality [not real 
Nom i nal, a. only in name, 
Nom i nate, v. to name, pro- 
pose [els 
Nov el ist, n. a writer of nov- 
Ob li gate, v. to bind, compel 
Ob so lete, a. disused, grown 
out of use [struction 
Ob sta cle, ?i; hinderance, ob- 
Ob sti nate, a. stubborn, firm 
Ob vi 6>us, a. easily discover- 
ed, open, plain 
Oc cu pant, n. one who holds 

or takes possession 
Oc cu py, v. to possess; hold 
Of fer ing^ n. a sacrifice 
Of fi cer, n. a man in oifice^ 

a commander 
Op er ate, v. to act, perform 
Op po site, a. contrary ; pla- 
ced in front 
Op u lent, a. rich, wealthy 
Or a tor,n.a man of eloquence^ 

a publick speaker 
Or i gin, n. beginning, rise 
Or i fice, n. an opening, per- 
foration 
Pol i cy, n. the art of govern- 
ment, prudence 
Pol i ticks, n. the science or 
art of government [people 
Pop u lace, n. the common 



142 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED. 



Pop u lar, a. pleasing to the 
people [people 

Pop u late, v. to increase in 
Pop u bus, a. full of people 
P05 i tive, a. absolute, real, 

certain 
Pos si ble, a. having the pow- 
er to be or do 
Pov er ty, n. want, necessity 
Prob a ble., a. likely [ness 
Prob i ty, n. honesty, upright- 
Prod i gal, n. a spendthrift ; 

a. profuse, wasteful 
Prof li gate, a. wicked, aban- 
doned 
Prog e ny,[g soft] n. offspring, 

issue, race 
Prom i nent, a. jutting or 

standing out 
Prop a gate, v. to spread, in- 
crease, promote 
Prop er ly, ad. fitly, suitably 
Prop er ty, n. an estate, pos- 
session ; quality 
Proph e cy #v n. a prediction 
Proph e sy, v. to predict, fore- 
tell, foreshow 
Proph et ess, ». a female 
prophet [sue 

Pros e cute, v. to pursue ; to 
Pros e lyte, n. one converted 

to a new opinion 
Pros o dy, n. the art of met- 
rical composition 
Pros per ous, a. successful 
Prot es tant, n. one who pro- 
tests against popery 
Prov en der, n. food for brutes 
Prov i dence, n. the care of 
God over created beings, 
divine superintendence 
Quad ru ped, n. a four-footed 
animal 



Quad ru pie, a. fourfold 
Qual i fy, v. to make fit 
Qual i ty, n. nature relatively 

considered, property, rank 
Quan ti ty, n. bulk, weight, a 

part [quarrel 

Quar rel some, a. inclined to 
ScAol ar ship, n. learning 
Shop keep er, n. a trader whc 

sells in a shop [manner 
Sol emn ly, ad. in a solemn 
Sol i tude, n. lonely life, a 

lone place, a desert 
Sol ven cy, n. ability to pay ' 
Soph is try, n 9 a fallacious 

reasoning 
Sor row ful, a. mournful, sad 
Tol er ate, v. to allow, permit 
Wrong ful ly, ad. unjustly 

6 * 

Fool er y, n* folly, habitual 

folly 
Fool ish ness, n. destitute of 

understanding ; follv [Jy 
Gloom i ly, ad. dismally, dim- 
Gloom i ness, n. obscurity* 
Goose ber ry, n. the name of 

a bush and its fruit 
Move a ble, a. capable of be- 
ing moved [ture 
Move a bles, n. goods, furni- 
ScAool fel low, n. one bred at 

the same school 
ScAool mas ter, n. a man who 

teaches a school 
School mis tress, n. a woman 

who teaches a school 
Shoe ma ker, n. one who 

makes shoes 

Come li ness, n. grace, beauty 
Com for ter, n. one who com- 
forts 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



143 



*ess, a. wi 



thout 



8 

Com fort 
comfort 

Com pa ny, n. an assembly of 
persons ; joint partners 

Con jur er, n. a fortune teller 

Gov ern ment, n. an establish- 
ment of legal authority ; 
administration of publick 
affairs 

Gov er nour, n. a chief execu- 
tive magistrate, commander 

Love li ness, n. amiableness 

Thor ough ly, ad. complete- 
ly, fully [ishing 

Won der ful, a. strange, aston- 
9 

Neigh hour hood, n. place ad- 
joining [kind 

"Neigh hour ly, ad. friendly, 

01 

Bois ter <?us,a. stormy, violent 
Poi son 0us, a. venomous, de- 
structive 



oy 

Joy ful ly, ad. with joy, gladly 

Joy ful ness, n. gladness, great 

joy [sion 

Loy al ty, n. fidelity, submis- 

ou 

Boun da ry, n. limit, mark 

Boun ti ful, a. liberal, gene- 
rous, kind 

Coun sel lor y n. one that gives 
advice 

Coun te nance, n. the form of 
the face, look ; support 

Coun ter feit, a. forged, ficti- 
tious ; v. to forge, imitate 

House keep er, n. one who has 
the care of a family [ular 

Moun tain mis, a. hilly, irreg- 
ow 

Cow ard ly, a. fearful, mean 
Low er y, a. cloudy, dark, 
obscure [strong 

Pow er ful, a. mighty, potent, 
Show er y, a. rainy, wet. 



SECTION LIX. 

Select Sentences. 

Envy is fixed only on merit ; and like a sore eye, is 
offended with every thing that is bright. 

The envious man endeavours to depreciate those who 
excel him ; he puts an evil construction on all their do- 
ings ; he lies in wait, and meditates mischief : but the 
-detestation of man pursues him ; he is crushed as a 
spider in his own web. 

Harmony of temper, begets and preserves friendship ; 
but disagreeable inclinations are like improper notes in 
musick, which serve only to spoil the concert and of- 
fend the ear. 

Modesty, in your discourse, will give a lustre to truth, 
and an excuse to your errours. Complaisance renders 
a superiour amiable, an equal agreeable, and an infe- 
xiour acceptable. 



144 THE AMERICAN 1NSTRUCTER. 

We should never be proud or vain of the advantages 
we possess ; but humbly endeavour to use them for the 
benefit of our fellow creatures, and to the glory of that 
Being from whom we have received them. 

How pleasant it is when we lie down at night, to re- 
flect that we are at peace with all persons ! that we have 
carefully performed the duties of the day, and that the 
Almighty beholds and loves us ! 

Happiness consists not in sovereignty or power, nor in 
great riches ; but in a right composure of our affections, 
and in directing all our actions according to right reason. 

Discontent is the greatest weakness of a generous 
soul ; for many times it is so intent upon its unhappi- 
ness, that it forgets its remedies. 

There is but one way of fortifying the soul against all 
gloomy presages and terrours of mind ; and that is, by 
securing to ourselves the friendship and protection of 
that Being, who disposes of events and governs futurity. 

We might enjoy much peace, if we did not busy our 
minds with what others do and say, in which we have 
no concern. 

Never suppose yourself the person pointed at in any 
general observation, as it is a maxim of true politeness 
to exempt the present company from any personal re- 
flection. 

He that compliments another with hearty wishes to 
Ms face, and afterwards degrades his reputation, is a 
double tongued hypocrite. 

Never betray the trust reposed in v you, or divulge 
any circumstance your friend wishes to conceal ; as no- 
thing can render a person more contemptible than a 
breach of confidence. 

Be very careful in your promises, and just in your 
performances ; and remember it is better to do, and not 
promise, than to promise, and not perform. Lying is 
a vice so very infamous, that even the greatest liars 
cannot bear it in others. 

If you wish to have a constant vigorous health, and 
a perpetual spring of youth, use temperance. Indo- 
lence frustrates everv design of our existence. The 



THE AMERICAN INS'TRUCTER/ 145 

mind of an idle man is like an uncultivated garden, 
planted, indeed, with flowers und fruit, but overrun 
with noxious weeds. 

When much gratitude is found in a poor man, it may 
be taken for granted, that there would be as much gen- 
erosity if he were rich. 

Use not needlessly, learned or hard words ; he that 
affects to be thought learned, is likely to be accounted 
a fool. 

Useful knowledge can have no enemies, except the 
ignorant: it cherishes youth, delights the aged, is an 
ornament in prosperity, and yields comfort in adversity. 

Youth is the season for improvement in knowledge, 
for forming the mind, and for gaining such accomplish- 
ments as will make us useful and happy. What a gold- 
en age is this which affords us such opportunities of 
laying up happiness for riper ye.ars ! 

A family, where the great Father of the universe is 
duly reverenced, where parents are honoured and obey- 
ed, where brothers and sisters dwell together in love 
and harmony, where peace and order reign, where there 
is no law but the law of kindness and wisdom — is sure- 
ly a most delightful and interesting spectacle. 



SECTION LX. 

Winter. — A Season for remembering the Poor. 

Now Winter is come, with his cold chilling breath, 

And the verdure is dropp'd from the trees ; 
All nature seems touch'd by the finger of death, 

And the streams are beginning to freeze. 
When wanton young lads, o'er the river can slide* 

And Flora attends us no more ; 
When in plenty you sit by a good fire-side, 

Sure you ought to remember the poor. 

When the cold feather'd snow does in plenty descend, 

And whitens the prospect around ; 
When the keen cutting winds from the north sha41 attend, 

Hard chilling and freezing the ground ; 
When the hills and the dales are all candied and white, 

When the rivers congeal to the shore, 
When the bright twinkling stars shall proclaim a cold night,: 

Then remember the state of the poor. 



146 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED. 

When the poor harmless hare may be trae r d to the wood, 

By her footsteps indented in snow ; 
When the lips and the ringers are starting with blood ; 

When the marksmen a cock-shooting go ; 
When the poor robin redbreast approaches the cot ; 

When the icicles hang at the door ; 
When the bowl smokes with something reviving and hot* 

That's the time to remember the poor. 

When a thaw shall ensue, and the waters increase, 

And the rivers all insolent grow ; 
When the fishes from prison obtain a release ; 

When in danger the travellers go : 
When the meadows are hid with the proud swelling' flood ; 

When the bridges are useful no more ; 
When in health you enjoy every thing that is good. 

Can you grumble to think on the poor ? 

Soon the day will be here, when a Saviour was born, 

All the world should agree as one voice ; 
All nations unite to salute the blest morn ; 

All ends of the earth should rejoice. 
Grim death is depriv'd of his all-killing sting, 

And the grave is triumphant no more ; 
Saints, angels and men, hallelujahs shall sing, 

And the rich shall remember 'the poor. 



SECTION LXL 

Friendship. 
What power can prop a sinking soul, 
v Oppress' d with woes and sick of grief, 
Bid the warm tear forfcear to roll, 
Despair's heart-rending sigh control, 
And whisper sweet relief? 

Friendship ! sweet balm for sorrow's smart, 
In thee the soothing power is found, 

To heal the lacerated heart, 

Extract affliction's venom* d dart, 
And close the rankling wound. 

When pierc'd by grief's chill tempest through, 
The tendril bends beneath its power, 

Thou canst the broken plant renew ; 

Thy sacred tear like heavenly dew, 
Revives the drooping flower. 

If Fortune frown — if health depart, 
Or death divide the tenderest tie, 

Friendship can raise the sinking heart, 

A glow of real joy impart, 
And wipe the tearful eye. 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



147 



If foes without attack our name, 

Or foes within assault our peace, 
Then Friendship's pure celestial flame, 
Can sooth the mind — defend our fame, 
And bid assailants cease. 

If hopeless Love our bliss destroy, 

And fill the breast with black despair* 
All peace such sufferers can enjoy, 
Is built by Friendship's kind employ, 
Which lessens every care. 

Come, then, sweet power of source divine, 
For ever glow within my breast • 

My earliest friend be ever inline 

One link our hearts in union join, / 

To make each other blest. 



SECTION LXII. 

Words of three syllables^ accented on the second. 



A base ment, ?i.the act of hum- 
bling [sening 
A bate ment, n. the act of les- 
A bu siw, a. offensive, rude 
A chieve ment, n. «the per- 
formance of an action 
Ac quain tance, n. familiarity 
Ac quire ment, n, gain 
Ad ja cent, a. lying close to 
A gree ment, n. contract, bar- 
gain, concord 
Al lure ment, n. enticement 
A maze ment, n. extreme fear 
A muse ment, n. diversion 
Ap pa rent, a, vislMe, plain 
Ap pea ranee, n. the act of 
coming into sight ; resem- 
blance 
Ar range ment, n. state of be- 
ing put in order 
Ar ri val, n. the act of com- 
ing to a place 
A sy lum, n. a retreat, refuge 
A tone ment, n. satisfaction 
A tro cious, a. very wicked 



Back sli der, n, an apostate 
Bal co ny, n. a gallery on the 

outside 
Be hav iaur, n. manner of ac- 
tion, conduct 
Be he ver, n.one that believes 
Ca pa cious, a. large, wide 
Ces sa tion, n. a stop, rest 
Com mo tion, n. a tumult 
Com plete ly, ad. perfectly, 
fully [ment 

Commie tion, n. accomplish- 
Com pli ance, n. submission 
Com po ser, n. an author, wri- 
ter, former 
Con clu sive, n. decisive 
Con fine ment, n. restraint, 
imprisonment [order 

Con fu sion, [s like zh] n. dis~ 
Con tri vance, n. a scheme, 

plot, artifice 
Con tri ver, n. inventor 
Cre a tor, n. the Being that 
bestows existence [test 
De bate ment, n. dispute, con- 



148 



**HE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER. 



De ceit ful, a. full of deceit, 

treacherous, false 
De cei ver. n. an impostor 
De ci sive, a. conclusive 
De co rum, n. decency, order 
De light ful, a. pleasant 
De port ment, n. conduct, be- 
haviour [eager 
De si rous, a. full of desire, 
De vo tion, n. piety, worship, 

ardent love 
Dis a ble, v. to render unable 
Do na tion, n. a gift, present 
Du ra tion, n. continuance 
En a ble, v. to make able 
En clo sure, [s like zh] n. 

ground enclosed 
En croach ment,n. an unlaw- 
ful intrusion 
En dan ger^ v.. to bring into 
danger, to hazard [love 
En dear ment, n. the cause of 
En fee ble, v. to weaken 
En force ment, a. compulsion 
En gage ment, n. the act of 

engaging ; a battle 
En gra ver, n. one who en- 
graves [to instruct 
En Wgh ten, v. to illuminate ; 
En fi ven, v. to animate,, cheer 
En no ble,x».to dignify, elevate 
En rol ment, n. a register, re- 
cord 
En slave ment, n. slavery 
En su ranee, [s like sh] n. ex- 
emption from hazard ; sum 
paid for security 
En tice ment, n. allurement 
En tire ly, ad. completely, 

fully 
En ti tie, v. to give aright to 
E qua tion, n. bringing fof 
things to an equality 



Er ra ta, n. correction of er- 

rours in printing 
Ex treme ly, ad. greatly 
Fal la cious, a. deceitful 
Fe ro cious, a. fierce, savage 
For bear ance, n. act of for- 
bearing, mildness, lenity 
For ma tion, n. the act ot 

manner of forming 
Gen teel ly, ad. politely 
Gen teel ness, n. politeness^ 

elegance 
Gra da tion, n. a regular pro- 
gress, order, degree 
He ro ick, a. brave, noble 
Hi atus,w.an aperture, breach 
Ho ri zon, n. the line that ter- 
minates the view 

I de a, n. mental imagination 
Ig no ble, a. mean of birth, 

worthless 

II le gal, a. contrary to law, 
unjust, dishonest 

Ill^na ture, [t like tsh] n. pee- 
vishness, unkindness 

Im pa tience, ». uneasiness, 
fretfulness 

Im peach ment, n. a legal ac- 
cusation, hinderance 

Im pure ly, ad. in an impure 
manner 

In clu sive, a. comprehending 

In de cent, a. unbecoming 

En diet ment, n. a written for- 
mal accusation of a crime 
by a grand jury 

In duce ment, n. incitement, 
motive 

In hu man, a. barbarous,cruel 

In qui ry, n. an interrogation, 
search 

In va der, n. an assailant, in- 
truder 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



149 



In va sion, [s like zh] n. hos- 
tile entrance, assault 
In vei gle, v. to seduce, allure 
In vi ter, n. one who invites 
Lo qua cious, a. full of talk 
Mi nute ly, a d. exactly [ment 
Mis u sage,n. abuse, bad treat- 
Mo rose ness, n. peevishness, 
sourness [tion 

Nar ra tion, n. account, rela- 
Nar ra tor, n. a relater 
Ne ga tion, n. denial 
No ta tion, n. the act of no- 
ting down, a meaning 
Ob la tion, n. an offering, sa- 
crifice 
Ob scure ly, ad. darkly 
Oc ca sion, [s like zh] n. a 

cause, opportunity 
Oc ta vo, a. a sheet folded in- 
to eight leaves 
Oc to ber, n. the tenth month 

of the year 
Op po nent,?&. antagonist, ad- 
versary [ses 
Op po ser, n. one who oppo- 
O ra tion, n. a publick speech, 
an address [rious 
Out ra geousy a. violent, fn- 
Par ta ker, n. a sharer, an as- 
sociate 
Per sua sive, a. having the 

power to persuade 
Pe ru sal, n. the act of reading 
Plan ta tion, n. a place plant- 
ed ; a colony 
Po lite ness, n. elegance of 

manners, gentility 
I^ol lu tion,n. defilement, guilt 
Po ta to, n. an esculent root 
Pre cise ly, ad. exactly, accu- 
rately [tion 
Pri va tion, *u a loss, destruc- 



Pro ceed ing, n. progress from 

one thing to another 
Pro fane ly, ad. wickedly 
Pro fane ness, n. irreverence, 

impiety 
Pro fuse ness, n. lavishness 
Pro mo ter, n. an encourager, 

advancer 
Pro mo tion, n. advancement, 
exaltation to some new hon- 
our or rank [ratio 
Pro por tion, n. an equal part, 
Pro po sal, n. a scheme pro- 
pounded [vides 
Pro vi der, n. one who pro- 
Quo ta tion, n. a passage quo- 
ted, citation 
Ra pa cious, a. seizing by vi- 
olence ; given to plunder 
Re ei tal, n. rehearsal, repe- 
tition 
Re deem er, n. the Saviour of 
the world ; one who redeems 
Re fine ment, n. a purifying, 

an improvement 
Re fi ner, n. a purifier 
Re fu sal, n. the first right of 

choice ; denial 
Re la tion, n. kindred 5 a nar- 
ration ; reference [ance 
Re li ance, n. trust, depend- 
Re main der, n. what is left 
Re new al, n. the act of re- 
newing 
Re proach ful, a. infamous, 
scurrilous [bode 

Re tire ment, n. a private a- 
Sal va tion, n. preservation 

from eternal death 
Se date ness, n. calmness 
Sen sa tion, n. perception by 
the senses [flictively 

Se vere ly, ad. painfully, af- 

< 13* - 



I5tl 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER. 



San cere ly, ad. honestly 
So lu tion, n. explanation, an- 

swer,j;eparation 
Spec ta tor, n. a looker on 

Sub scri ber, n, one who sub- 
scribes 
Temp ta tion, n. the act of 

tempting, enticement 
Tes ta tor, n. one who leaves 

a wiH 
Tor na do, n. a hurricane 
Trans pa rent, a. that which 
may be seen through, clear 
Un a ble, a. not able, weak 
Un ea $y 9 a. disturbed [equal 
Un.-e qua!, a. not even, not 
Un faith ful, «• treacherous, 

dishonest 
Tin e ven, a. not level [ful 
Un grate ful, a. vile, unthank- 
Un ho ly, a. profane, wicked 
Un kind ness, n. ill will 
Un like ly, ad. improbable[ed 
Un qui et, a. restless, disturb- 
Un whole some, a. not whole- 
some, unhealthy 
Va ca tion, n, leisure, inter- 
mission 
Verba tim, ad. word for word 
Vex a tion,[x like ks] n. troub- 
le, sorrow [tain 
'Vol ca no, n, a burning moun- 

2 

A ban don, v. to forsake,desert 
A bridg ment, n, a work shor- 
tened [manner 
Ab rupt ness, n. in an abrupt 
A bun dance, n. great plenty 
Ac cep tance, n. reception 

with approbation 
Ac ces sion, n. addition 
Ac cus torn, v. to use one's 
self to< 



Ad die ted, pa. devoted to 
Ad mit tanee, n. the act of 
admitting [men! 

Ad vance ment, n. improve- 
Ad van tage, n. superiority % 
Af fee tion, n. love, kindness 
Af flic tion,w. distress, misery 
Al read y,ad. now,at this time 
A mend ment, n. a change for 

the better 
Ap par el, n. dress, clothing 
Ap pen dix, n. something ad- 
ded, a supplement 
As sas sin, n. a murderer 
Ap pren tice, n. one bound to 

learn a trade 
As sem ble, v. to bring or 
meet together [together 
As sem bly, n. a company met 
As sess ment, n. taxation 
As ses sor, n. one that lays 
taxes [lief 

As sis tance, n. help, aid, re- 
At ten dance, n. the act of 

waiting on another 
At ten dant, n. one that at- 
tends [gardful 
At ten tive, a. heedful, re- 
Bat tal ion, n. division of an 

army 
Be gin ning, n. the first cause 
Clan des Xme f a. secret, hid* 
den, sly [ered 

Col lee tion,n.the things gath- 
Col lee tor, n. a gatherer, a 

receiver of taxes 
Com mis sion, n. a trust, war- 
rant of office [ment 
Com mit ment, n. imprison- 
Com mit tee, n. a number of 
persons appointed to man- 
age any matter 
Com pact ly, ad. closely 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 151 



2 
Com pan ion, w. a partner 
Com pas sion, n. pity, mercy 
Com pen sate, v. to recom- 
pense, to make amends 
Com plex ion, n. the colour 

of the face 
Com pul sive, a. forcible 



2 

Com pul sion, n. the act of 

compelling 
Con fes sion, n. the acknowl- 
edgment of a crime * 
Con sid QVyV. to think, ponder 
Con sis tent, a. conformable 
Con tern plate, v. to meditate 



SECTION LXI1I. 

On the animal world, and the scale of beings.. 

If we consider those parts of the material world 
which lie nearest to us, and are therefore subject to our 
inquiries, it is amazing to reflect on the infinity of ani^ 
rnals with which it is stocked. Every part of matter 
swarms with inhabitants ; nay, we find in the most solid 
bodies, innumerable cells and cavities, which are crowd* 
ed with those imperceptible inhabitants that are too 
small for the naked eye to disoovgr. 

On the other hand, if we look into the more bulky 
parts of nature, we see the seas, lakes and rivers teem- 
ing with numberless kinds of living creatures ; we find 
every mountain and marsh, wilderness and wood, plen- 
tifully stocked with birds and beasts, and every part of 
matter affording proper necessaries and conveniences 
Tor the livelihood of multitudes which inhabit it. 

Infinite goodness is of so communicative a nature, that 
it seems to delight in conferring existence upon every 
degree of perceptive being. There are some living crea- 
tures which are raised but little above dead matter. To 
mention only that species of shell-fish, which are formed 
in the fashion of a cone, which grow to the surface of 
rocks, and immediately die when separated from the 
place where they grow. j- 

Many other creatures are but one remove from these, 
possessing no other senses but those of feeling and taste : 
others have an additional sense of hearing ; others of 
smelling ; and others of sight. It is wonderful to ob- 
serve, by what a gradual progress the world of life ad- 
vances through a prodigious variety of species, before, a 



152 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

creature is formed which is complete in all its senses ; 
and the several degrees of perfection in which the sen- 
ses are found, in the same species, are so great, that 
they seem almost of a different nature. 

If we look into the several perfections of cunning and 
sagacity, we find them rising imperceptibly one above 
another, and receiving additional improvements, accord- 
ing to the species in which they are implanted. The 
progress in nature is so very gradual, that the most 
perfect of an inferiour species, comes very near to the 
most imperfect of that which is immediately above it. 

The unbounded goodness of the Supreme Being, 
whose mercy extends to all his works, is plainly seen 
from his having made so little matter which does not 
swarm with life ; nor is his goodness less seen in the di- 
versity, than in the multitude of living creatures. Had 
he made only one species of animals, none of the rest 
would have enjoyed the happiness of existence : he has 
therefore varied his gcraation with every degree of life, 
with every capacity of being. 

The whole chasm of nature, from a plant to a man, 
is filled up with divers kinds of creatures, rising one 
above another by such a gentle and easy ascent, that the 
little transitions and deviations from one species to an- 
other, are almost imperceptible. This intermediate 
space is so well managed, that there is scarce a degree 
of perception which does not appear in some part of 
the world of life. 

In this system of being, there is no creature so won- 
derful in its nature, and which so much deserves our 
particular attention, as man,who fills up the middle space 
between the animal and intellectual nature, the visible 
and invisible world, and is that link in the chain of be- 
ings which has often been termed the connexion of each 
world. So that he, who is in one respect associated 
with angels and archangels, may look upon a Being of 
infinite perfection as his father, and the highest order 
of spirits as his brethren ; and may, in another respect, 
say to corruption, " thou art my father, and to tha 
worm, thou art my mother and my sister*" 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 153 

SECTION LXIV. 

On profane Cursing and Swearing. 

Of all the vices with which the present age is affect- 
ed, none seem so prevalent, none so disregarded, as that 
heinous sin of profane cursing and swearing. All ages 
and conditions have caught the dangerous infection: 
the statesman, the labourer, the decrepit old man, and 
the lisping infant, are alike distempered. 

Each in his turn, daily makes use of the same horrid 
imprecations, boldly calling down the vengeance of that 
God, who hath said, "-Thou shalt not take the name of 
the Lord thy God in vain," upon their own, and each 
other's heads. That Almighty Being by whom we live, 
and move, and have our existence, hath in direct and 
positive terms told us, that " the man who taketh his 
name in vain shall not be held guiltless." 

Dare we then so frequently to violate this article of 
the decalogue, when truth and justice have declared its' 
enormous guilt, when such impending danger threatens 
the wretch, and seems every moment ready to crush 
him ? surely every one who is guided by reason or re- 
ligion, will carefully avoid so dangerous and unprofitable 
a vice. It brings with it no temporal advantage, like 
many other vices, and serves no other purpose, but the 
false opinion of making a man's assertion of consequence* 

Avarice heaps up gold, and though it dares not use 
it, yet it feels a satisfaction in turning over and oyer its 
massy stores : dishonesty brings, perhaps, a timely sup* 
ply to the necessities of a villain, and keeps him a few 
days without the walls of a dungeon : gluttony and 
drunkenness satiate the appetites of those who are their 
votaries ; and even murder, the most shocking of all 
crimes, pleases the perpetrator with the cruel, though 
false notion among men, that revenge is sweet. 

All these vices have the probability of gratifying some 
corrupt inclination, or of affording us some temporal en- 
joyment ; but swearing can answer no purpose, except 
that of giving a seeming consequence ; and even here it 
misses its aim ; for the expressions of the swearer hav§ 



354 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



become so common, that they are considered as mere 
cyphers or expletives in discourse. Indeed, the ration- 
al part of mankind consider the affirmations of the com- 
mon swearer, as doubtful and futile ; and the more so, in 
proportion to the number of oaths that accompany them. 
I'o what a wretched ebb must a man's reputation be 
sunk, who thinks he is not to be credited , unless he con- 
firms whatever he advances with the most solemn im- 
precations ! Let us then endeavour to forsake a vice so 
replete with danger, folly and madness ; nor boldly call 
down the judgements of an offended God upon ourselves 
and others, lest at some time he should visit us with 
those very curses we have wickedly desired he would 
inflict upon us. 



SECTION LXV 

Words of three syllables, accented on the second ; Continued. 

Di min isb, v. to lessen, de- 
crease 
Di rec lion, n. order, rule 
Di rect ly, ad. immediately, 

soon ; in a straight line 
Dis C0ur age, v. to depress 
Dis fig ure, v. to deform 
Dis mis sion, n. a discharge 
Dis tern per, n. a disease 
Dis tine tion, w. difference, 

note 
Dis tinct ly, ad. clearly 
Dis tin guish, v. to note, hon- 
our, perceive [fusion 
Dis trac tion, n. madness, con- 
Dis trib ute, v. to divide a- 
mong many [perplexity 
Dis tur bance, n. confusion, 
Di vision, [s like zh] n. the 

act of dividing 

Do mes tick, a. belonging to 

the house, private [dour 

Ef ful gerfce, n. lustre, splen- 

E lee tion, n. the actofchoos- 

inn. choice 



Con ten tion, n. strife, quarrel 
Con ten tious, a. quarrelsome 
Con tent ment, n. satisfaction 
Con tin uc,v. to remain in the 

same state, to persevere 
Con traction, n. abbreviation 
Con ven tion, n. an assembly 
Cor rec tion, n. punishment 
Cor rect ly, ad. accurately 
Cor rect ness, n. accuracy 
De can ter, n. a glass vessel 

used for holding liquor 
De cem ber, n. the last month 

in the year 
De cep tion, ?i. cheat, fraud 
De li cious, a. sweet, pleasant 
De liv er, v. to give, save 
De ris ?on, [s like zh] n. con- 
tempt, scorn 
De struction,n. ruin, murder 
De structive, a. wasteful, that 

which destroys 
De tach ment, n. a body of 

troops sent out from the 

main army 



f~IE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER. 



155 



E lee tor, n. one who elects 
Em bar rass, v. to perplex 
Em bel lish, v. to adorn 
E mis sion, n. the act of send- 
ing forth [love 
En am our, v. to inflame with 
En camp ment, n. a camp ; 

the act of encamping 
En ctfur age, v. to animate 
En cum ber, v. to clog, em- 
barrass [tempt 
En deav our, v. to strive, at- 
En kin die, v. to set on fire 
En tan gle, v. to insnare, 

confuse, puzzle 
En vel op, v. to inwrap, cover 
En ven om,u. to poison,enrage 
E pis de, n. a letter, message 
E rup tion, n. a bursting forth 
Es sen tial, a. necessary [tie 
E stab lish, v. to confirm, set- 
Ex am me, v. to ask ques- 
tions, consider 
Ex am pie, n, a pattern, copy, 

precedent 
Ex hib it, v. to offer to view 
Ex is tence, n. state of being 
Ex pan sive,a. extensive,wide 
Ex pen sive, a. costly, dear 
Ex pres sion, n. a form of 

speech 
Ex press \y,ad. in direct terms 
Ex pul sion, n. an expelling 
Ex ten sive, a. wide, large 
Ex tin guish, v. to put out, 

destroy 
Ex trac tion, n. a drawing out 
Fa mil iar, a. affable, free 
For bid dance, n. prohibition 
Fore tel ler, n. a predictor 
For get ful,-[g hard] a. not re- 
membering, heedless [don 
For give ness, [g hard] n. par- 



Gi gan tick, a. giantlike, big 
Here after, ad. in future time 
How ev er, ad. nevertheless^ 

yet, at least 
II lus trate, v. to explain ; to 

brighten 
I mag ine, [g soft] r. to fancy, 

to contrive 
Irri pres sion, n. mark made 

by pressure ; influence 

made on the mind [fine 
Im pris on, v. to shut up, con- 
Im pul sive, a. having power 

to impel [ployed 

In ac tive, a. indolent, unem- 
In ces sant, a. continual 
In cul cate, v. to impress by 

admonitions, to teach 
In den ture, [t like tsh] n. a 
; kind of covenant or deed 
In dig nant, a. angry, raging 
In dul gence, n. forbearance, 

fondness, favour granted 
In dul gent, a. kind favourable 
In fee tious, a. contagious 
In flee tion, n. the act of bend- 
ing or varying ; modulation 

of the voice [breaking 

In frac tion, n. the act of 
In fringe ment, n. a violation, 

breach 
In hab it, v. to dwell in 
In her it, v. to possess, to have 

by inheritance [order 

In June tion, n. a command, 
In jus tice, n. unfair dealing, 

iniquity 
In scrip tion, n. an epitaph, 

a thing written, title 
In sip id, a. without taste, dull 
In spec tion, n. examination, 

survey, view [dent 

In spec tor, n. a superintend 



158 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTOR. 



In struc ter, n. a teacher 
In struc tion, n. information, 

the act of teaching 
In struc tive, ,#. conveying 

knowledge 
In ten tion, n. design, purpose 
In tes tate, n. dying without 

a will 
In trench ment, n, a fortifi- 
cation with a trench 
In trep Id, a, fearless, brave 
In trin sick, a. inward, real 
In val id, a. weak, of no force 
In vec tive, a. abusive, satirical 
In ven tion, n. the act of pro- 
ducing something new 
Ir rup tion, n. an inroad, the 
act of any thing forcing an 
entrance 
Ju di cious, a. prudent, wise, 

skilful 
Li cen tious, a. unrestrained, 

presumptuous, loose 
Ma gi cian, n. one skilled in 
magick [august 

Ma jes tick, a. grand, royal, 
Ma li cious, a. malignant, ill- 
natured, spiteful [cious 
Ma lig nant, a. envious, mali- 
Me c#an ick, 71. an artificer 
Me theg lin, n. a drink made 

of honey and w T ater 
Mi li tia, [mil lish ya] w. na- 
tional force, trainbands 
Mis man age, v. to manage ill 
Mo men t<ms, «. important, 
weighty [musick 

Mu si cian, n. one skilled in 
Neg lect ful, a. inattentive, 

heedless 
Noc tur nal, a. nightly 
No vem ber, n. the eleventh 
jpontb of the vear 



Ob jec tion, n. an opposition 
Ob jec tor, n. one who objects 
Ob struc tion, n. hinderance 
Oc cur rence, n. any thing that 

happens 
Of fence less, a. innocent 
Of fen der, n. one who offends 
Of fen sive, a. displeasing, 
hurtful [fice 

Of fi cial, a. relating to an of- 
O mis sion, n. neglect, for- 
bearance [ment 
O pin ion, n. sentiment, judge- 
Op pres sive, a, cruel, severe 
Op pres sion, n. cruelty, hard- 
ship 
Out bal ance, v. to outweigh 
Pa ren tal, a. becoming pa- 
rents, affectionate [der 
Pa thet ick, «. affecting, ten- 
Per di tion, n. destruction, 

ruin _ 
Per fee tion, n. the state of 
being perfect [erty 

Per mis sion, n. a grant of lib- 
Per ni cious, a. destructive 
Per spec tive, n. a glass 
through which things are 
viewed ; a. relating to vi- 
sion 
Pe ti tion, n. a request, en- 
treaty ; v. to solicit, entreat 
Phy si cian, n. one who pro- 
fesses the art of healing 
Pi az za, n. a short walk un- 
der arches, a portico 
Pncu mat icks, n. the doc*» 

trine of the air 
Po si tion, n, situation ; rule 
Pos ses sion, n. the state of 
having in one's own power 
Pos ses sor n * wner oro- 
pnetor 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



157 



Pre cep tor, n. a teacher, tutor 
Pre die tion, n, a prophecy 
Pre sent ment, n, the act of 

presenting 
Pre sump tion, n. arrogance, 

boldness, supposition 
Pre ten sion, n. a claim, pre- 
tence 
Pro ces sion, n. a train march- 
ing in solemnity [ducing 
Pro due tion, 7i. the act of pro- 
Pro due tivc, a. fertile, having 

the power to produce 
Pro fes sor, n. a publick teach- 
er or lecturer ; one who 
makes open declaration of 
faith 
Pro fes sion, n. a declaration, 

calling, employment ■ 
Pro fi cient, n. one who makes 

good improvement 
Pro gres sive,«. going forward 
Pro hib it, v. to debar, forbid 
Pro jec tor, n. pne who forms 

schemes or designs 
Pro mul gate, v. to publish, to 

make known 
Pro phet ick, a. foretelling fu- 
ture events [ter 
Pro tec tion, ra. a defence,shel- 
Pro tec tor, n. a defender 
Pro vis i on, [s like zh] n. 
victuals, food ; a providing 
beforehand 
Re bell ion, n* opposition to 

lawful authority 
Re bell ious, a. opposing law- 
ful authority [ceiving 
Re cep tion, n. the act of re- 
Re demp tion, n. a ransom, 
release [ducing 
Re due tion, n. the act of re- 
Re dun dance, n. superfluity 



2 
Re dun dant, a. superfluous, 

exuberant 
Re flee tion, n. consideration ; 

the act of throwing back 
Re fresh ment, n. food, nour- 
ishment [brightness 
Re ful gencc, n. splendour, 
Re ful gent, a. bright,splendid 
Re hear sal, n. recital 
Re jec tion, n. the act of cast- 
ing off 
Re lig ion, [g soft] n. a sys- 
tem of divine faith and 
worship [devout 
Re lig ious, [g soft] a. pious, 
Re lin quish, v. to forsake, 

give up 
Re luc tance, n. unwillingness 
Re luc tant, a. unwilling 
Re mem ber, v. to bear in 
mind [tion 

Re mem brance, n. recollec- 
Re mis sion, n. forgiveness, 
pardon, abatement [sin 
Re pent ance, n. sorrow for 
Re plen ish, v. to stock, to fill 
Re pub lick, n. a common- 
wealth or state governed by 
representatives elected by 
the people 
Re pug nant, a. contrary, dis- 
obedient 
Re sem blance, n. likeness 
Re sem ble, v. to be like 
Re sent ment, n. a deep sense 

of injury 
Re sist ance, n. opposition, 

the act of resisting 
Re splen dence, n. lustre 
Re splen dent, a. bright, shi- 
ning 
Re stric tion, n limitation 
Re venge ful, a. Full of revenge 
14 



153 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Re vis ion, [s like zh] n. a 

re-examination 

Se di tion, n. tumult, an insur- 

re ction [ sm g 

Se lee tion, n. the act of choo- 

Sep tern ber, n. the ninth 

mouth of the year 
Se raph ick, a. angelick 
So lie it, [c like sj v. to en- 
treat, ask [mazing 
Stu pen dons, a. wonderful, a- 
Sub jec tion, n. the state of 

being under government 
Sub mis sion, n. resignation, 

obedience 
Sub mis sive, a. humble [port 
Sub sis tence, n. means of sup- 
Sub stan tial, a. real, solid 
Sue cess ful, a. prosperous, 

fortunate 
Sue ces [sion, n. a series of 
things or persons following 
one another 
Sue ces sor, n. one who fol- 
lows in the place of another 
Suf fi cient, a. equal to any 

purpose, competent 
Sur ren der, v. to yield or 

deliver up 
To bac co, n. a plant much 
used for smoking, chew- 
ing, &c. 
To geTH er, [g hard] ad. in 

company, in concert 
Tra di tion, n. oral account 

from age to age 
Trans ac tion, n. dealing be- 
tween man and man, nego- 
tiation [crime 
Trans gres sion, n. an offence, 
Trans gres sor, n. an offen- 
der, a law-breaker [awful 
Tre men dous, a. dreadful, 



Tri umph ant, a. victorious, 

celebrating victory 
Tu i tion, n. instruction 
Um brel la, n. a cover from 

the sun or rain 
Un civil, a. impolite, rude 
Un han dy, a. awkward 
Un hap py, a. wretched, un- 
fortunate, distressed 
Un -health y, a. sickly, morbid 
Un just ly, ad. contrary to 

justice or right 
Un luck y, a. unfortunate 
Unmanly, ad. unbecoming 
a man [attentive 

Un mind ful, a. negligent, in- 
Un pleas ant, a. not pleasant 
Un skil ful, a. wanting art or 
knowledge [riable 

Ui) stead y, a. inconstant, va- 
Un thank ful, a. ungrateful 

3 
Ab hor rencc, n. great hatred 
Ac cor dance, n. conformity 
Ac cor ding, pa. agreeable to 
Dis or der, n. sickness, con- 
fusion 
E nor meus, a. very large ; 

wicked, irregular 
Im mor tal, a. exempt from 

death, perpetual 
In stal ment, n. the act of in- 
stalling ; a payment 
Mis for tune, [t like tsh] n, 

bad luck, calamity 
Per for mance, n. the act of 

performing 
Per form er, n. one who per- 
forms any thing [cords 
Re cord er, n. one who re- 
Un law ful, a. contrary to law 

4 
A part ment, n, a room 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



159 



Com man der, n, a chief, a 

leader 
Com mand merit, n. a com- 
mand, order, law 
En large ment, n. an increase 
Hard heart ed, a. merciless, 

cruel, inhuman 
Im mar tial, a. not warlike 
Im par tial, a. equitable, just 

5 

A bol ish, v. to destroy, re- 
peal 
Ac com plish, v. to finish 
Y.c lenowl edge, v. to confess 
d mon ish, v. to reprove 
pos £le, 7i. a person sent to 
preach the gospel 
As ton ish, v. to amaze 
De mol ish, v, to destroy 
Dis Aon est, a. knavish, base 
Dis Aon our, n. reproach, dis- 
grace 
Fore knowl edge, n. knowl- 
edge of future events 
Im mod est, a. indecent 
Im mor al, a. wicked, vicious 
Im pos tor, n. a false preten- 
der, a cheat 
Im prop er, a. unfit, wrong 
In con stant, a. unsteady, va- 
riable, tickle 
In sol vent, a. unable to pay 

debts 
Ma son ick, a. pertaining to 

masonry 
Mis con duct, n. ill behaviour 
Re mon strance, n. a repre- 
sentation 
Re mon strate, v. to object 
Un com mon, a. not frequent, 
unusual 
6 
Ac cow tre, t>. to equip 



Im prove ment, n. advance- 
ment, the act of improving 

Im pru dence, n. indiscretion, 
negligence 

Im pru dent, a. injudicious, 
indiscreet, negligent 

In tru der, n. one who forces 
himself into company 

In tru sion, [s like zh] n. the 
act of intruding 

Re mov al, n. the act of mov- 
ing, a dismission [fertile 

Un fruit ful, a. barren, not 

Un ru \y, a. ungovernabl 
turbulent 
8* 

An oth er, a. not the same, 
one. more , 

At tor ney, n. a lawyer/ an 
agent [gant 

Be com ing, a. graceful, ele- 

Dis cov er, v. to disclose, find 
out/to make known 

En com pass, v. to surround 

Re cov er, w. to grow well, 
regain 
9 

Conveyance,^, the act of re- 
moving any thing 

Sur xey or, n. an overseer ; a 
measurer of land 

oi 

Ap point ment, n. a decree, 

order [figure work 

Em broi der, v. to adorn with 

oy 

Em ploy ment, n. business, 

office 
En joy ment, n. happiness 

ou 

De vout ly, ad. piously, reli- 
giously 
Un. bound ed, a. unlimited 



IQ-q THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTOR. 

SECTION LXVIL 

On Procrastination. 

Few things are more ruinous, even to our secular af- 
fairs, than customary procrastination. It confuses and 
blights every kind of worldly business; for business not 
attended to in the proper time and season, is either not 
done at all, or done vvith more labour and difficulty and 
to less purpose. 

Some men are in the practice of letting their accounts 
lie unsettled for several years together. It is no mat- 
ter forsooth ; they are near neighbours and close friends, 
and can come to a reckoning at any time. At length a 
settlement commences : the accounts of each, however 
honest, are swelled beyond the expectation of the other. 
On both sides, several items are vanished from the re- 
membrance of him who is charged with them. A warm 
dispute ensues ; perhaps an arbitration ; peradventure 
an expensive lawsuit ; and these close friends are sev- 
ered forever. 

Some men neglect to make their wills 9 though they 
know their estates would be inherited contrary to their 
own minds and to the rule of equity, if they should 
chance to die intestate. Knowing this, aud sincerely 
wishing that right may be done to their heirs, they are 
fully determined to perform? the necessary act and deed, 
some time or other. a But why just now ? Another 
time will do as well." And thus they delay the thing 
from year to year, till at last the time of doing it is gone 
by ; a precious widow, or a beloved and deserving child, 
is left to suffer through life the bitter consequences of 
this default. 

Some Farmers, double their labour, and lose half their 
profits, for want of doing things in their proper season. 
Their fields are overgrown with bushes and thorns, all 
which a little seasonable labour might have prevented. 
Their fences, and even their buildings, are neglected, 
till the cost of repairs becomes increased several fold ; 
besides their sustaining a train of inconveniences, and of 
serious injuries from the neglect. 

Their crops also cost more labour, and at the same 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED ISi 

time are leaner in bulk, or inferiour in quality, by rea- 
son that much of the labour that had been bestowed up- 
on them was out of season. Nor is it uncommon to see 
farmers of this sort in a mighty hurry and bustle. They 
are behind their business, and running to overtake it ; 
which is the cause of their being so often in a greater 
hurry than their neighbours. 

Many a one loses his custom as a mechanick, by not 
doing his work in season. It makes no odds, he thinks, 
whether the thing be done precisely at the time agreed 
upon — but his customers do not think so. 

What does not a merchant lose, in custom, in credit, 
and in cash, by neglecting his books, though it be on- 
ly a few days. How hard does he find it to set right, 
what might easily have been kept right, if he had done 
the work of each day within the day. 

Honest Jonathan borrows a sum of money of his par- 
ticular friend, on the express promise of scr&pulous 
punctuality. He gets the money by the day ; but be- 
ing busy here and there, he delays to carry or send it. 
The money happens to be wanted the very day it be- 
comes due ; and with that particular friend, Jonathan's 
borrowing credit is utterly lost. 

Sometimes a doctor, who possesses undoubted skill 
in his profession, loves talk better than practice. Called 
away in a case of pressing emergency, he sets out with 
speed ; but meets an old acquaintance, to whom he 
opens a budget of news and politicks, which takes up 
half an hour in the relating; and by the time he ar- 
rives, all is over. Half an hour sooner, and his pa- 
tient might have been saved. 

Violent pains and fevery chills seize us ; if they go 
not off, we will send for the physician to-morrow. Ere 
to-morrow arrives, the distemper gains a firmness that 
baffles the physician's skill. 

Hark! The cry of fear and dismay. The Small- 
pox ! Our children have caught the contagion ; we 
meant to have had them vaccinated, but have put it off, 
and the time for it is now past. 

Upon the whole— that which may be flone at any 



162 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

time, is seldom done in season, and often left undone j. 
whereas a little time that is known to be the only time, 
suffices for bringing much to pass. Again, when we have 
various means of obtaining our object, we are less like- 
ly to obtain it than if w r e had only one, and that a fea- 
sible and good one y for a vibrating mind is inactive, 
and he that loiters rarely succeeds. For the same rea- 
son, one good calling is better than half a dozen. 



SECTION LXVII. 

Woman. 

Give ear, fair daughter of innocence, to the instruc- 
tions of prudence, and let the precepts of truth sink 
deep in thy heart ; so shall the charms of thy mind 
add lustre to the elegance of thy form ; and thy beau- 
ty, like the rose it resembles, shall retain its sweetness 
when its bloom is withered. 

Remember thou art made man's reasonable compan- 
ion, not the slave of his passions. The end of thy be- 
ing is to assist him in the toils of life, to sooth him with 
thy tenderness, and to recompense his care with soft 
endearments. 

Who is she that wins the heart of man, that subdues 
him to love, and reigns in his breast ? Lo ! yonder she 
walks in maiden sweetness, with innocence in her mind, 
and modesty on her cheek. 

She is clothed with neatness, she is fed with temper- 
ance ; humility and meekness are as a crown of glory 
encircling her head. Decency is in all her words, in 
her answers are mildness and truth. 

When virtue and modesty enlighten her charms, she 
is beautiful as the stars of heaven. The innocence of 
her eye is like that of the turtle ; simplicity and truth 
dwell in her heart. 

She presides in the house, and there is peace ; she 
commands with judgement, and is obeyed. She arises 
in the morning, she considers her affairs, and appoints 
to her maidens their proper business. 

The care of her family is her delight ; to that she ap- 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



163 



plies her study ; and elegance with frugality is seen in 
her mansion. The prudence of her management is an 
honour to her husband, and he hears her praise with a 
secret delight. 

She informs the minds of her children with wisdom ; 
she fashions their manners from the example of her own 
goodness. The word of her mouth is the law of their 
youth, the motion of her eye commands obedience. 

In prosperity, she is not puffed up ; in adversity, she 
heals the wounds of fortune with patience. The troub- 
les of her husband are alleviated by her counsels, and 
sweetened by her endearments. 

Happy is the man that hath made her his w r ife ; hap- 
py is the child that calls her mother. 

That such may be thy happy lot, fair daughter of 
America, listen to the directions of wisdom, and regu- 
late thy heart and life by the principles of piety and 
virtue. 



SECTION LXVIII. 

Words of three syllables, accented on the third. 



Al sen tee,n. a person absent 
Ad ver tise, v. to give notice 
As cer tain, v. to make cer- 
tain [cannon 
Can non ade, v. to batter with 
Co in cide, v. to agree 
Dis a gree, v. to differ 
Dis ap pear, v., to vanish 
Dis be h'eve, v. not to credit 
Dis com mode, v. to put to 

inconvenience 
Dis u nite, v. to separate 
Dom i neer, v. to hector, to 

behave with insolence 
Ev er more, ad. always, for- 
ever 
Fore or dain, v. to determine 

beforehand 
Here to foro, ad. formerly 
Tm ma ture, a. Hot ripe 



Im po lite, a. rude, uncivil 
In com mode, v. to hinder^ 

embarrass, disturb 
In com plete, a. not perfect 
In dis creet, a. imprudent 
In dis pose, v. to make unfit, 

to disorder 
In se cure,a,notsecure ; unsafe 
In sin cere, a. deceitful 
In ter cede, v. to mediate^ 

entreat, interpose 
In ter fere, v* to interpose 
In ter line, v. to write be- 
tween lines 
In ter pose, y. to mediate, to 

place between 
Lem on ade, n. a mixture of 

water, sugar and lemons 
Mis ap ply, v. to apply to 

wrong purposes 



164 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Mis be have, v. to behave im- 
properly 

Mis be Kef, n. a wrong belief 

Mis re port, n. a false account 

Mort ga gee,n. one who takes 
a mortgage 

O ver floz0, v. to run over, 
to deluge 

O ver hear, v. to hear secret- 
ly or by chance 

O ver pay, v. to pay more 
than the just price- 

O ver prize, v, to value at too 
high a price 

O ver seer, n. a superintend- 
ent [long 

O ver sleep, v. to sleep too 

O ver take; v. to come up 
with, to catch 

O ver throw, v.to throw down, 
defeat, destroy 

Pat en tee, n. one who has a 
patent granted him [tinue 

Per se vere,z».to persist, con- 

Pri va teer, n. a ship of war 
belonging to private citizens 

Re as sume, v. to resume, to 
take again [forces 

Re en force, v. to send new 

Re in state, v. to replace in a 
former state 

Re u nite, v. to unite again 

Sub di vide, v. to divide again 
Su per fine, a. eminently fine 

Un be lief, n. infidelity, in- 
credulity. 
Un der go, v. to suffer, endure 
tin der take, v. to engage in 
Un fore seen, a. not known 
before it happened 

2 

Ac qui esc€, v. to yield, sub- 
mit 



Ap pre hend, v. to seize, take 
Co a lesce, v. to unite, join 
Com pre hend, v. to under- 
stand, include [mit 
Con descend, v. to yield, sub- 
Con tra diet, v. to oppose 
Dis af feet, v. to fill with dis- 
content [nui 
Dis an mil, v. to abolish, an- 
In cor rect, a. not correct, not 

exact 
In cor rupt, a, pure, honest 
In di rect, a. not straight 
In dis tinct, a. confused 
In ter cept,^. to stop, obstruct 
In ter lapse, n. the time be- 
tween two events 
In ter mix, v. to mingle, mix 
In ter rupt, v. to hinder, stop, 
Over cast, v. to cloud, darken; 

a. clouded 
O ver , head, ad. aloft, above 
O ver spread, v. to cover over 
O ver turn, v. to throw down, 

to conquer 
O ver whelm, v. to crush, sub- 
due, overpower 
Re ad mit, v. to admit again 
Re as cend, v. to climb up a- 

gain 
Rec ol lect, v. to recover to 
memory [new 

Re com mence, v. to begin a- 
Rec om mend,i?. to commend 
to another [new 

Re com mit, v. to commit a- 
Re e lect, v. to elect again 
Re pos sess, v . to possess agai <. 
Rep re sent, v. to exhibit ; to 

appear for another 
Un der stand, v. to compre- 
hend fully 
Yi o lin, n. a fiddle 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



165 



Mis in form, v. to deceive by 
false accounts 
5 
Gor re spond, v. to suit, to fit 

6 

Dis ap prove, v. to dislike 
O ver do, v. to do more than 
enough 

8 

O ver come, ih to subdue, con- 
quer 



SECTION LXIX. 

Words of four syllables, accented on the first 

2 



9 

Dis o bey, v. to break com- 
mands 
10 

Mag a zine, n. a storenouse ; 
a pamphlet 

oi 

Dis ap point, v. to defeat 5 oC 
expectation 

ow 

Dis al low, v. to deny, reject, 
not to grant 



A mi able, a. lovely 

Du ti ful ness, n. obedience, 

respect 
Fa V(?ur a ble, a. kind, tender 
For ci ble ness, n. violence, 
force [madly 

Fu ri 0us ly, ad. violently, 
H\i mor ous ly, ad. merrily 
Ju di ca ture, n. a power to 

distribute justice 

Lu mi na ry, n. a body that 

gives light [improve 

Me li o rate, v. to make better, 

Mo men ta ry, a. lasting for 

a moment 
Pa per ma ker, n. one who 
makes paper [country 

Pa tri ot ism 7 n. love of one's 
Pre vi ous ly, ad. beforehand 
Re« S0n a ble, a. agreeable to 

reason 
Se ri 0us ly, ad. solemnly 
Sta tion a ry, a. fixed^ settled 
2 

Ac cu ra cy, n. exactness 
Ac cu rate ly, ad. exactly 
Ad mi ra ble, a. to be admired 
Ad ver sa ry, n. antagonist 
Am i ca hie, a. friendly, kind 



An nu al ly, ad. every year 
An ti mon y, n. a mineral sub- 
stance 
Ap o plex y, n. a disorder that 
affects the brain [or 

Ap pli ca ble, a. suitable, pro]>- 
Cal cu la tor, n. a reckoaer 
Cat er pil lar, n. a worm, am 

insect 
Cer e mon y, n. outward rite \ 

forms of civility 
Char i ta ble, a. kind, liberal 
Cred it a ble, a. reputable [a! 
Cus torn a ry, a. common, usu- 
Del i ca cy, n. softness, nicety 
Des pe rate ly, ad. rashly, fu- 
riously 
Des pi ca ble, a. contemptible 
Die tion a ry, n. a book con- 
taining the words of any 
language [ent manner 

Dif fer ent ly, ad. in a differ- 
Dif fi cul ty, n. trouble 
Ef fi ca cy, n. ability to effect 
El e gant ly, ad. in a pleasing 

manner 
En vi a ble, a. exciting envy 
Es ti ma ble, a, worthy of es- 
teem 



166 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Ev i dently,3J.plainly,clearly 
Ev i ta ble, a. avoidable 
Fash ion a ble, a. approved 

by custom, fine 
Feb ru a ry, n. the second 

month of the year 
Fig u ra tive, a. typical, not 

literal 
Gen er al ly, ad. in general, 

commonly, frequently 
Gen er ous ly, ad. liberally 
Hab i ta ble, a. fit to be in- 
habited 
Ig no min y , n. disgrace, shame 
Im pi 0us ly, ad. wickedly 
Im pu dent ly, ad. shameful- 
ly, boldly [lessly 
In do lent ly, ad. lazily, care- 
In fa mans ly, ad. vilely 
In no cent ly, ad. without guilt 
/»-In so lent ly, ad. haughtily 
In ter est ing, a. affecting, 

moving 
In ti ma cy, n. close familiar- 
ity, union [plexity 
In tri ca cy, n. difficulty, per- 
In ven tor y, n. a list or ac- 
count of separate articles 
of goods 
Jan u a ry, n. the first month 

of the year 
jKhit ting nee die, n. a wire 

used to knit with 
Lam ent a ble, a. mournful 
Lib er al ly, ad. generously 
Lit er a ry, a. relating to let- 
ters or learning 
Lit er a ture, n. learning 
Mag is tra cy, [g soft] n. the 

office of a magistrate 
Mat ri mon y, n. marriage 
Mel an chol y, n. gloominess ; 
L a. dismal, gloomy 



Membra ble, a. worthy of re- 
membrance 
Mer chant a ble, #. fit to be 
bought or sold [derl v 

Mer ci ful ly, ad. kindly, ten- 
Mil i ta ry, a. warlike, sol- 
dierly 
Mil lin er y, n. goods sold by 

a milliner 
Mis eel la ny, n. a collection 

of various kinds 
Mis chief ma ker, n. one who 

makes mischief 
Mis er a ble, a. unhappy 
Mis sion a ry, n. one sent to 
preach the gospel,and prop- 
agate religion 
Nat u ral ize, [t like tsh] v. to 

admit to native privileges 
Nav i ga ble, a. passable for 

ships or boats 
Nee qs sa ry , [c like s] a. need- 

ful, proper 
Nee ro man cy, n. magick, 

enchantment, conjuration 
Pal at a ble, a. pleasing to the 

taste, agreeable 
Pat ri mon y, n. an estate pos- 
sessed by inheritance [cute 
Pen e tra tive, a. piercing, a- 
Per ish a ble, a. liable to perish 
Per ma nent ly, ad. durably 
Per se cu tor, n. one who per* 

secutes 
Pet ti fog ger, [g hard] n. a 

petty lawyer 
Pit i a ble, a. deserving pity 
Plan e ta ry, a. pertaining to 

the planets 
Prac ti cal ly, ad. by practice 
Prefer a ble, a: eligible before 

something else 
Prin ci pal ly, ad. chiefly 



•* *E AMERICAN INSTRUCTER. 



167 



Keg u lar ly, ad. methodical- 
ly, justly 
Res o lute ly, ad. steadily, 
firmly [riour 

Sec on da ry, a. second, infe- 
Sec re ta ry, n. one who writes 

for another 
Sem i cir cle, n. a half circle 
Sem i na ry, n. a place of ed- 
ucation 
Sem i vow el, n. a consonant 
which has an imperfect 
sound 

Sep ar ate ly, ad. singly, apart 
Ser vice a ble, a. useful 
'Pes ti mon y, n. evidence, 

proof 
Tran si tor y, a. continuing 

but a short time 
Ul ti mate ly, ad. in the last 

state or consequence 
Val u a ble, a. of great price 
Veg e ta ble, [g soft] n. any 
thing that has growth with- 
out sensation 
Ven er a ble, a. deserving 
reverence 

r 3 

For feit a ble, a. liable to be 
forfeited 

For mi da ble, a. terrible, 
dreadful 

Or di na ry, a. common, usual 

Or tho dox y, n. soundness in 
opinion and doctrine 

Or tho e py, n. the right pro- 
nunciation of words 

Or tho e pist, n. one skilled in 
pronunciation 

4 m 

Ar bi tra ry, a. absolute, des- 
potick 

Ar bi tra tor, n. a judge 



Ar cAi tec ture, [t like tsh] n. 

the science of building 
Mar ket a ble, a. fit for sale 

at market 



Com mis sa ry, n-. a delegate, 

deputy, officer 
Com mon al ty, n. the bulk 

or body of the people 
Com pli men ter, n. a flatterer 
How out a ble, a. illustrious, 
noble, generous [ness 

Hor ri ble ness, n. dreadful- 
Hos pi ta ble, a. kind to stran- 
gers, friendly, civil 
Mod er ate ly, ad. mildly, 

temperately 
Nom i na tivc, a. the first cas< 

in grammar 
Ob sti na cy, n. stubbornness 
Oc cu pan cy, n. the act of ta- 
king possession 
Oc cu pi er, n. a possessor 
Or a tor y, n. the science of 

rhetorick, eloquence 
Pos i tivc ly, ad. absolutely 
Prof it a ble, a. advantageous 
Prom is sor y, a. containing a 
promise [cape 

Prom on tor y, n. a headland,, 
Sol i ta ry, a. retired, single, 

dismal 
Tol er a ble, a. supportable, 
passable 

8 

Com for ta ble, a. receiving 

comfort, pleasing 
Cov e t0us ness, n. avarice, 

greediness, eager desire 
Drom e da ry, n. a sort of 

camel 
Gov era a ble, a. subject to 

rule, manageable, mild 




168 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTOR. 

SECTION LXX. 

Agriculture. 

Agriculture, or husbandry, is the art of cultiva- 
ting or tilling the ground, so that it may produce, in the 
greatest abundance and perfection, those vegetable pro- 
ductions which are necessary for the food, comfort and 
convenience of mankind. 

In a country like the United States, where by far the 
greater part of the inhabitants are devoted to agricul- 
tural pursuits, it must be considered an object that mer- 
its particular regard. 

It is from the hand of agriculture, that manufactures 
and commerce, and indeed every other branch of indus- 
try, receive their support. The cultivation of the earth 
may therefore be considered as the most useful and 
laudable of all pursuits. 

Here, as in some other countries, we have many ex- 
amples of distinguished individuals, who have left the 
seat of power, the theatre of political action, and the 
splendour and opulence of cities, that they might enjoy 
tJ|p pleasure of cultivating their native fields. 

The pursuits of agriculture are connected with that 
love of country, which may be called a universal passion. 
The charms of nature are here fully displayed, and ev- 
ery mind which is not debased by vicious habits, or en- 
slaved by irregular desires, is eager to enjoy them. 

A principle so universally felt, has never failed to call 
forth the powers of genius ; and writers of all ages have 
expatiated on rural scenes and occupations, with the 
most lively satisfaction. 

Every poet more especially claims the country as his 
peculiar province; from it he derives the most beauti- 
ful and striking descriptions, and is enabled to represent 
those various prospects of nature which are so highly 
gratifying to every ingenious mind. 

Agriculture is not only essential to the good order of 
society, in a rude and unpolished state, but is equally re- 
quisite in every stage of its refinement. As an incitement 
to its constant and uniform pursuit, it repays the exertions 
of the husbandman with regular and abundant returns. 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED " 169 

From the remotest ages, it has been esteemed worthy 
of general attention. The simplicity of ancient man- 
ners, rendered it an object not inconsistent with the rank 
and situation of persons of the greatest eminence. 

Gideon, the renowned champion and judge of Israel, 
quitted the thrashing-floor to preside in the publick as- 
sembly of his countrymen ; and Cincinnatus, the con- 
querer of the Volsci, left his plough to lead the Roman 
armies to battle ; afterwards declined the reward gained 
by his victories, to return to his native fields. 

And in modern times this occupation has been held 
in no less esteem. There are not wanting those among 
the English nobility, who take a lively interest in all ru- 
ral improvements, and preside at the annual meetings of 
agriculturists, with no less reputation to themselves, 
than beneficial to the art. 

Washington, the late celebjrated president of the Uni- 
ted States of America, found the most pleasing relaxa- 
tion of publick cares in the superintendence of his own 
estate. 

The emperor of China, at the beginning of every 
spring, goes to plough in person, attended by the prin- 
ces and grandees of his empire: he celebrates the close 
of the harvest among his subjects, and creates the best 
farmer in his dominion a mandarin. 

In various ages, many have written to explain the 
principles, and celebrate the excellences of this art- 
Some have adorned it with the elegance of fancy, and 
others have methodised it with the precision of rules* 

Hesiod was one of the earliest of the Grecian poets, 
to sing the praises of the plough ; and in a work nearly 
coeval with the Iliad itself, has combined with the prin- 
ciples of the art, many curious observations on the sea- 
sons most propitious to its various employments. 

At a period of society when its advantages were bet- 
ter understood, and it¥ practice more generally diffused, 
Xenophon expatiated in his economicks, on the impor- 
tance of agriculture, and describes its influence on the 
prosperity of the arts, and the advancement of civilization* 

Virgil has described at large, the rural occupations 

35 



I TO THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

of his countrymen, the cultivation of the land, the season 
most favourable for tillage, and the nature of grazing 
and planting. He has adorned every branch of his sub- 
ject with refined and striking beauties of composition ; 
and has so fully collected the best observations, and 
choicest maxims of antiquity, as to render it almost a su- 
perfluous task to consult the works of other authors, rel- 
ative to the progress which his predecessors had made 
in this subject. 



SECTION LXXL 

Extract from a Poem, entitled, " Agriculture, or, 
Happy American Farmer" 

Then murmur not at Heaven's fix'd decree 
But as you're happy, so contented be ; 
Your country 'H rise the emporium of wealth 
Your country's sons, the sons of peace and health. 

Hail blest Columbia ! whose delightful soil 
Repays with richest good the labourer's toil ! 
What dainties thy delicious gardens yield ! 
What rich supplies adorning every field ! 

Happy thy sons, around thy splendid board, 
Who taste the luxuries which thy fields afford ! 
Our fathers, freed from dire oppression's hand, 
Found an asylum in this happy land. 

The savage Canaanites have left our soil. 
We the true Israel taste the wine and oil ; 
With milk and honey our fair country flows, 
Deserts rejoice and blossom as the rose. 

Thanks to the mercy of Almighty Heaven, 
For Washington to fair Columbia given ! 
Our laws, of freedom's chosen sons the choice, 
Shall live, while truth or reason has a voice. 

Nature convuls'd our Continent may shake, 
And earth and skies in consternation quake ; 
Yet still our laws and liberty secure, 
Though time and nature die, shall firm endure, 
In Heaven the work shall stand, like noontide Sun, 
Spotless as virtue, pure as Washington 



THE AMERICAN TNSfRUCTER. 1 71 

SECTION LXXIL 

Words of four syllables, accented on the second. 



Ab bre vi ate, v. to shorten 
Ah ste mi 011s, a. temperate, 
sober [gether 

Ac cu mn late, v. to pile to- 
Ad vi 5a ble, a. prudent [air 
A e ri al, a. belonging to the 
A gree a ble, a. pleasing 
Al ie vi. ate, v. to ease 
An ni hi late, v. to reduce to 
nothing [ance 

An nu i ty, n. yearly allow- 
Ap pro pri ate, v. to consign 
to any particular use ; a. 
peculiar 
Ap pre ci ate, [ci like she] v. 

to value, estimate # 

A3 so ci ate, [ci like sha§ v. 

to unite, accompany 
Cen so ri 0us, a. severe 
Col le gi an, n. a member of 

college 
Co me di an, n. an actor of 

comick parts, a player 
Com mo di 011s, a. conveni- 
ent, suitable 
Com mu ni cate, v. to impart, 

reveal 
Con cer ted ness, n. pride 
De cezt ful ness, n. tendency 
to deceive [ness 

I)e Wghi ful ness, h. pleasant- 
De plo ra ble, a. lamentable 
De pre ci ate, [cilike she] v. 

to lessen in value 
De s\ ra ble, a. pleasing, wor- 
thy of desire 
De spi 5a ble, a, mean, con- 
temptible [ly 
Pe spite ful ly, ad. malicious- 
Dis grace ful ness,?2.dishonpur 
E hi ci date, v. to explain 



E ma ci ate, [ci like she] v. to 
lose flesh, pine away, waste 
En co mi um, n. praise,eulogy 
E nu me rate, v. to number 
Er ro ne ous, a. full of errours 
Ex cu sa ble, a. pardonable 
Ex pe ri encc, n. knowledge 

by practice 
Fe lo ni ous, a. wicked, vile 
Fu ne re al, a. suiting a fu- 
neral, dark, dismal 
Fu tu ri ty, n. time to come, 

a future state of being 
Gram ma ri an, n. one skilled 

in grammar 
Har mo ni 0us, a. musical 
He ro i cal ? a. brave, spirited 
His to ri an, n. a writer of 

history 
II le gal iy, ad. in a manner 
contrary to law [adorn 
II -lu mi nate, v. to enlighten, 
II lu sor y, a. deceiving [ent 
Im me di ate* a, instant, pres- 
Im mu ta ble, a. unalterable, 

invariable 
Im pa tient ly, ad. uneasily 
Im pe ri al, a. royal, belong- 
ing to an emperor 
Im pe ri 0us,a. haughty, arro- 
gant, lordly - 
Im pi e ty, n, wickedness, ir- 
reverence 
Im p ♦ ca ble, a. malicious, 

constant in enmity 
Im pu ri ty, n. foulness ; guilt 
In ca pa ble, a. unable, not fit 
In cu ra ble, a. hopeless, not 

to be cured 
In de cen cy, n. any thing 
contrary to good manners 



172 



THE AMERICAN IIYSTRUCTER. 



la de cent ly, ad. without de- 
cency 

In fe ri our, n. one in a lower 
rank ; a. Lower in place 

In ge ni ous, a. witty, inven- 
tive, acute 

In glo ri ous, a. void of hon- 
our, mean, base 

In hu man ly, ad. cruelly 

In ju ri ous, a. hurtful, unjust 

In te n our, a. internal 

In vi ting ly, ad. in a pleas- 
ing or enticing manner 

Ir ra di ate, v. to illuminate, 
brighten. 

La bo ri ous> a. diligent in 
work, tiresome 

Li, bra ri an, n. one who has 
the care of a library 

Ma te ri ai, a. consisting of 
matter, corporeal 

Ma te ri als, n. the substance 
of which any thing is made 

Ma in ri ty, n. ripeness, com- 
pletion 

Me lo di ous, a. harmonious, 
musical 

Me mo ri al, n. a monument, 
something to preserve me- 

" inory 

Mys te ri ous, a. that which 
is not easily understood 

Neu tral i ty, n. a state of in- 
diiference [known 

No to ri ousy a. publickl} r 

Ob scu ri ty, n. darkness, un- 
noticed state 

Ob tain a ble, a. that which 
may be obtained [rage 

Out ra geous ncss,w. violence, 

Pre ca ri 011s, a. uncertain 

Pro pri e tor, n. a possessor 
in his own right 



1 
Pro pri e ty, n. accuracy, just- 
ness ; exclusive right 
Re mu ner ate, v. to reward 
Sa l'u bri ous, a. wholesome, 

healthful 
Sa lu bri ty, n. wholesomeness 
Se cu ri ty, n. safety, protec- 
tion 
So bri e ty, n. temperance, 

calmness 
So ci e ty, n. community ? 

company, fraternity 
Un change a ble, a. not to be 

changed 
Un du ti ful, a. disobedient 
Un ea si ness, n. trouble, 

perplexity 
Un ho li ness, n. impiety 
Va^ri e ty, n. change, mixture 

% 
A bil i ty, n. power, capacity 
A bun dant ly y ad. in plenty 
A cad e my, n. a school of 

liberal arts and sciences 
Ac ces si ble, a. that which 

may be approached 
Ad min is ter, v. to give, to 

supply, to perform 
Ad mis si ble, a. that which 

may be admitted 
Ad ver si ty, n. misfortune 
Affec tionate, a. fond, tender 
Af fin i ty, n. relation 
A gil i ty, n. activity 
A lac ri ty, n. cheerfulness 
Am phib i ous, a. living in 

two elements [parts 

A nal y sis, n. separation of 
A nat o my, n. the art of dis 

section 
An tag o nist, ». an opponent 
A rith me tick, n. the science 

»}f computation 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



m 



Ar til ler y, n. weapons for 

war j cannon 
As cen den cy, n. superiority 
As sas si nate, v. to murder 
Aux il ia ry, «. helping, aid- 
ing, assisting 
Bar bar i ty, n. cruelty 
Be at i tude, n. felicity, hap- 
piness 
Be nef i cencc, n. generosity, 

active goodness 
Be nev o lence, n. kindness, 

good will, charity 
Be nev o lent, a. kind, good 
Ca lam i ty, n. misfortune 
Ca lum ni ate, v, to slander 
Ca pac i ty, [c like s.] r n. abilir 
ty, sense, state, space, con- 
dition [very 
Cap tiv i ty, n. bondage, sla- 
Cer tif i cate, n. a testimony 
Cir cum fer ence, n. limits of 

a circle 
Ci vil i ty, n. politeness 
Co ag u late,, v. to curdle, 

congeal 
Col lee tive ly, ad. in a body 
Com mem o rate, v. to pre- 
serve the memory, to cele- 
brate 
Com par i son, n. an estimate 
Com pas sion ate, a. tender, 

merciful 
Com pat i ble, a. consistent 
Com pet i tor, n. a rival, op- 
ponent 
Con fed er ate, v. to unite, 

league 
Con sid er. ate, a. thoughtful 
Con spic u 0us, a. eminent 
Con spir a cy, n. a plot, law- 
less combination 
©on tarn i nate, v. to defile 
15* - 



Con temp ti ble, a. base, ob- 
serving contempt 
Con tin u al, a. incessant 
Con tin u ance, n. duration 
De bil i tate, v. to weaken 
De liv er ance, n. freedom, 

rescue 
De liv er er, n. one who de- 
livers, a preserver 
De liv er y, n. release 
De riv a tive, a. a word deri- 
ved from another 
Dex ter ity, n. activity, skill 
Di am e ter, n. aline passing 
through the centre of a 
circle 
Di min u tive, a. small, little 
Dis par age ment, n.a disgrace 
Di vin i ty 7 n. the Deity ; the 

science of divine things 
Ef fee tu al, [t like tsh] a. 
powerful, efficacious, real. 
Em bar rass ment, n. perplex- 
ity, entanglement [ment 
Em oel lish ment, n. orna- 
Em phat i cal, a. forcible 
Err com age ment, ra. incite- 
ment, favour, support 
E quiv a lent,<2. equal in value 
E rad i cate, v. to root up 
E stab lish ment, n. settle- 
ment, fixed state [tion 
E ter ni ty, w. endless dura- 
E vac u ate, t v. to quit, to 

empty, to make void 
E van ge list, n. a writer or 

'preacher of the gospel 
E vap o rate, v. to drive or fly 

away in vapours 
Ex ec u tor, n. one who per- 
forms the will of another 
Ex per i mem, n trial of any 
thing 



174 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Ex em pli fy, v. to illustrate 
by example [largely 

E& ten sive ly, ad, widely, 
Ex trav a gance, w. waste 
Ex trav a'gant, a. wasteful 
Ex trem i ty, n. remotest parts 
Fa cil i tate, v. to make easy 
Fa nat i cism, n. enthusiasm, 

religious phrensy 
Fa tal i ty, n. a decree of fate 
Fe lie i ty, [c like s] n. hap- 
piness 
Fes tiv i ty, n. joyfulness, 
mirth [honesty 

Fi del i ty, n, faithfulness, 
Fbr get ful ness, [g hard] n. 
loss of memory, careless- 
ness [mony 
For mal i ty, n. form, cere- 
Fra ter ni ty, n. brotherhood, 

society 
Fru gal i ty, n. good husban- 
f dry, thrift 
Gen til i ty, n. elegance of 

behaviour, politeness 
Hil ar i ty, n. merriment 
Hu man i ty, n. benevolence ; 

the nature of man 
Hu mil i ty, n, submission, 

inodesty 
I den ti cal, a. the same 

I den ti ty, n. sameness 

II lib er al, a. not generous 
II lit er ate, a. unlearned 

11 lus tri 0us, a. noble, eminent 
Im mac u late, a. pure,spotless 
Im men si ty, n. unbounded 

greatness, infinity 
Im ped i ment,w.hinderance, 

obstruction 
Im pen i tence, w. hardness 

of heart,- continuance in 

evil courses 



Im pen i tent, a. obdurate, 
void of repentance [folly 
Im per ti nence, n. intrusion, 
Im pet u 0us, [t like tsh] a. 
violent, vehement [ment 
Im pris on ment, n. confine- 
In ac cu rate, a. not exact, 

not accurate 
In ad e quate, a. defective 
In an i mate, a. void of life, 

without animation 
In clem en cy, n. severity, 

hardness, cruelty 
In cred i ble, a. not to be 

credited 
In def i nite, a. unlimited 
In del i ble, a. not to be blot- 
ted out [cency 
In del i cate, a. without de- 
In dem ni fy, v. to secure 

against loss or penalty 
In die a tiv£, a. showing, poin- 
ting out, affirming 
In differ ent, a. unconcerned 
In dus tri #us, a. diligent, la- 
borious [cable 
In el e gant, a. mean, despi- 
In el o quent, a. not eloquent 
In fal li ble, a. incapable of 

mistake, certain, true 
In fin i tive, a. unlimited ; a 

mood in grammar 

In fin i ty, n. immensity, 

boundlessness [fair 

In gen u ous, a. open, candid, 

In grat i tude, n. unthankful- 

ness 
In hab it ant, n. one who 

dwells in a place 
In her it ance, n. a patrimo- 
ny, a possession 
In im i cal, a. hostile, con- 
trary, adverse 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER 



175 



In iq ui tous, a. unjust, wicked 

In iq ui ty, n. injustice, wick- 
edness 

In i ti ate, [in ish e ate] v. 
to admit, to instruct 

In san i ty, n. the state of be- 
ing insane [ly, to instill 

In sin u ate, v. to hint artful- 

In teg ri ty, n. honesty, puri- 
ty of mind 

In tel li gence, n. notice 

In tel li gent, a. knowing, 
skilful 

In tem per ance, n. excess, 
want of moderation 

In tem per ate, a. immode- 
rate, ungovernable, drunken 

In ter pre ter, n. an explain- 
er, a translator 

In ter ro gate, v. to examine 

In tim i date, v. to make fear- 
ful, to frighten 

In ves ti gate, v. to search 
out, explore 

In vet er ate, a. obstinate, 
long established 

In vig o rate, v. to strength- 
en, to animate 

In vis i ble, a. not to be seen, 
imperceptible 

Ir reg u lar, a, deviating from 
rule, immethodical 

Ir res o lute, a. wavering, un- 
settled, unsteady 

I tin er ant, a. wandering, 
unsettled 

Ju di cious ly, ad. wisely 

Li cen tious ness, n. a con- 
tempt of just restraint 

Mag nan i mous, a. great in 
mind, brave, heroick 

Mag nif i cence, n. grandeur, 
splendour 



Mag nif i cent, a. grand, 
splendid 

Ma lev o lence, n. ill will, 
spite, hatred 

Ma lev o lent, a. ill disposed 
towards others 

Ma li cious ly, ad. with au 
intention of mischief 

Ma lig nan cy, n. malice, ma- 
levolence 

Me rid i an, n. a line drawn 
from north to south 

Mi rac u lous, a. wonderful, 
supernatural 

Mis man age ment, n. bad 
management, ill conduct 

Mo ral i ty, n. the doctrine of 
the duties of life 

Mor tal i ty, n. human nature, 
death, havock 

Ne ces si ty, n. poverty, want, 
compulsion 

No bil i ty, n. persons of high 
rank ; dignity, fame 

Non sen si cal, a. unmeaning, 
foolish 

Nu mer i cal, a. numeral, de- 
noting number 

O bliv i on, n. forgetfulness 

Om nip o tence, n. almighty 
power 

O rig i nal, [g soft] n. first 
copy ; a. primitive 

O rig i nate, [g soft] v. to be- 
gin, to give rise to 

Par tic u lar, a. singular, in- 
dividual ; n. a single in- 
stance or point 

Pen in su la, [s like sh] n. a 
piece of land almost sur- 
rounded by water 

Per cep ti ble, a. that which 
may be seen or perceived 



m 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER 



Per pet u al, [t like tsh] a. 

continual 
Per plex i ty, n. difficulty 
Per spic u 0us, a. clear, plain 
Phil an thro py, n. love of 

mankind, humanity 
Pi rat i cal, a. plundering 
Po et i cal, a. relating to po- 
etry [kicks 
Po lit i cal, a. relating to pol- 
Pos ter i ty, n. succeeding 

generations 
Prac ti tion er, n. one enga^ 

ged in any art 
Pre des ti nate, v. to decree 

beforehand 
Pre em i nence, n. superiority 
Pre em i nent, a. excellent 
above others [delay 

Pro eras ti nate, v. to put off. 
Pro fes sion al, a. relating to 
a profession [ment 

Pro fi cien cy, n. improve- 
Pro gres sive ly, ad. by a reg- 
ular course 
Pro mis cu 0us, a. mingled 
together [fortune 

Pros per i ty, n. success, good 
Ra pid i ty, n. velocity, swift- 
ness 
Re al i ty, n. truth, certainty 
Re an i mate, v. to restore to 

life, to revive 
Re gen er ate, v. to renew, 

to produce anew 
Re pub li can, n. a friend to 
republican government ; a. 
i placing the government in 

the people 
Re spec ta ble, a. deserving 

respect or regard 
Re tal i ate, v. to repay, to 
, make a return I 



r 2 
Ri die u bus, a. exciting 

laughter, odd, mean 
Se ren i ty, n. calmness 
Se ver i ty, n. cruel treatment 
Si mil i tude, n. comparison, 

likeness 
Sim plic i ty, [c like s] n. 

plainness, folly 
Sin cer i ty, n* purity of mind,. 

honesty 
So lil o quy, n. a discourse 
made by one in solitude to 
himself [iness 

Sta bil i ty, n. firmness, stead-. 
Stu pid i ty, n. dullness, heav- 
iness of mind 
Sub lim i ty, n. loftiness, ex- 
cellence 
Su per la tive, a. expressing 

the highest degree 
Sus cep ti ble, a. capable of 

admitting 
Ter res tri al, a. earthly 
Tran quil li ty, n. peace of 

mind, stillness 

Ty ran ni cal, a. like a tyrant 

U nan i maus, a. being of one 

mind [mean 

Un gen er 011s, a. not liberal, 

Un lim it ed, a. having no 

bounds [uncivil 

Un man ner ly, ad. ill-bred, 

U til i ty, n. usefulness, profit 

Vi cin i ty, n. neighbourhood, 

nearness [olution 

Vi cis si tude, n. change, rev- 

3 
Con for ma ble, a. agreeable 
E nor mi ty, n. great wicked- 
ness 
In au di ble,#.not to be heard 
In cor po rate, v. to form in- 
to one body, to join 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



177 



Sub or di nate r a. inferiour in 
order 

Un for tu nate [t like tsh] a. 
unprosperous, unlucky 
4 

Im par tial ly, ad. justly, with- 
out regard to party or in- 
terest 

Hard heart ed ness, n. cruel- 
ty, want of tenderness 

Re mark a ble, a. worthy of 
notice, odd, observable 
5 1 

Ac com mo date, v. to supply 
Ac com plish ment, n. com- 
pletion ; embellishment, el- 
egance [fession 
Ac knowl edg ment, ». con- 
A pol o gize, v. to plead for 
A pol o gy, n. an excuse 
As ton ish ment, n. amazement 
As trol o gy, n. the art of fore- 
telling by the stars 
As tron o my, n. a science 
teaching the knowledge of 
the celestial bodies 
Au thor i ty, n. legal power 
Bi ogra phy,n. history of lives 
CAro nol o gy, ?i, the science 

of computing time 
Com mod i ty, n. an article 

of traffick, goods, wares 
Con sol i dc>te, v. to harden 
De spon den cy, n. despair 
Dis con so late, a. melancho- 
ly? sad [frugality 
E con o my, v. management, 
E mol u ment, n. profit, gain 
Em pov er ish, v. to make 
poor [ness 
E qual i ty, ?i. evenness, like- 
Ge og ra phy, n. a description 
ofihe ea$th 



His tor i cal, a. pertaining to 
history 

Hy poc ri sy, n. dissimulation 

I dol a try, n. the worship of 
images 

Im mod er ate? a. excessive, 
extravagant 

Im mod es ty, n, want of 
modesty 

Im pos si ble, a. that which 
cannot be done 

Im prob a ble, a. unlikely 

In com petent, a. inadequate, 
unsuitable [ness 

In con stan cy, n. unsteadi- 

In sol ven cy, n. inability to 
pay debts 

In tox i cate, v. to make drunk 

Ma hog a ny, n. a valuable 
brown wood [number 

Ma jor i ty, n. 4he greater 

Me thod i cal, a. regular, ex- 
act [of a country 

Me trop o lis, w.the chief eity 

Mi nor i ty, n. the smaller 
number ; state of being un- 
der age 

Mo not o ny, n. a want of va- 
riety in cadence 

Or thog ra phy, n. the art or 
practice of spelling 

Fhe nom e non, n. an appear- 
ance in the works of nature 

Phi los o pher, n. one who is 
skilled in philosophy 

Phi los o phy, n. knowledge 
moral or natural 

Prog nos ti cate, a. to foretell 

Re spon si ble, a. answerable 

Sy non y mous, a. of the same 
signification 

Tau tol o gy, n. repetition of 
the same words 



178 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER. 



The ol o gy, n. the science 
of divinity 

Ther mom e ter, n. an instru- 
ment for measuring the de- 
grees of heat and cold 

Ty pog ra phy, n. the art of 
printing 
8 

Ac com pa ny, v. to join with 
another 



Re cov er y,. n. 
from sickness 



restoration 



Em broi der y, n variegated 
needle-work 

ou 

Ac coun ta ble, a. subject to 

an account 
Un dou5t ed ly, ad. without 

doubt, unquestionably 



•*-@0®*««- 



SECTION LXXIII. 

The wisdom of Providence displayed in the Seasons. 

In contemplating on the various scenes of life, the 
vicissitudes of the seasons, the perfect regularity, order, 
and harmony of nature, we cannot but be filled with 
wonder and admiration at [the consummate wisdom and 
beneficence of the all-wise and gracious Creator. His 
consummate wisdom and goodness have made the va- 
rious seasons of the year perfectly consonant to the re- 
fined feelings of man, and peculiarly adapted them to 
the universal preservation of nature. 

Dreary winter is past ; its severe cold is mitigated ; 
the returning zephyrs dissolve the fleecy snow, and un- 
lock the frozen streams, which overflow the extensive 
meadows, and enrich the teeming earth. At length, the 
rapid streams begin to glide gently within their banks ; 
the spacious meadows soon receive their usual verdure, 
and the whole face of nature assumes a cheerful aspect. 
By the refreshing showers, and vivifying power of the 
genial sun, we behold the rapid and amazing progress 
of vegetation. 

What is more pleasing to the eye, or grateful to the 
imagination, than the agreeable and delightsome return 
of spring? The beauties of nature at once expel the 
gloomy cares of a dreary winter. The benign influence 
of the sun gives a brisk circulation to the animal fluids, 
and happily tends to promote the propagation of anima- 
ted nature, In spring we behold the buds putting forth 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTfiRT 1 79 

their blossoms ; in summer we meet the charming pros- 
pect of enamelled fields, which promise a rich profusion 
of autumnal fruits. 

These delightful scenes afford to man a pleasing an- 
ticipation of enjoying the bounties of Providence ; they 
cheer him in adversity,and support him under the various 
misfortunes incident to human life. In the spring, when 
we behold plants and flowers peeping out of the ground* 
reviving and flourishing at the approach of the vernal 
sun ; when we behold the seed, which the laborious hus* 
bandman casts into the earth, starting into life, and rising 
into beauty, from the remainder of that which perished 
in the preceding autumn, we are filled with the most 
pleasing sensations of the universal reanimation of nature. 

The warm and invigorating sun produces myriads of 
insects, which have been lifeless through the hoary frosts 
of winter. The herds go forth to graze on the verdant 
plains. The numerous flocks quit their folds with their 
young, to feed on the distant mountains. The lark^ with 
all the charming choir which nature wakes to cheerful- 
ness and love, tune their melodious voices to hail the 
welcome return of spring. The busy bee flies over the 
fields, and extracts the liquid sweets from every flower. 

How pleasing ! how wonr^rful ! how delightful are 
the scenes presented to our view ! The spring of the 
year is strikingly emblematical of that grand and uni- 
versal Resurrection, which shall commence at the final 
consummation of all things. May its beauties there- 
fore raise our affections to those superiour regions of 
bliss, into which the truly virtuous shall then enter, and 
forever enjoy an unfading and eternal spring. 



SECTION LXXIV. 

Advice to Youth, on decent Behaviour. 

As learning, honour and virtue, are absolutely neces- 
sary --to gain you the esteem and admiration of mankind, 
politeness and good breeding are equally necessary to 
make you agreeable in conversation and common life. 

Awkwardness can proceed but from two causes ; ei- 



180 THE AxMERICAN INSTEUCTER 

ther from not having kept good company, or from not 
having attended to it. Attention is absolutely neces- 
sary for improving in behaviour, as indeed it is for 
every thing else. 

Good breeding does not consist in low bows, and for- 
mal ceremonies ; but in an easy, civil and respectful 
behaviour to every person, particularly to the aged, , 
and to strangers. 

There is a difference between modesty and bashful- 
Bess. Modesty is the characteristick of an amiable 
mind ; bashfulness discovers a degree of meanness. 
Nothing is more sure to sink a young man into low 
company, than bashfulness. , 

If he- thinks he shall not please, he most surely will 
not. Vice and ignorance are the only things we ought 
to be ashamed of ; v while we keep clear of them, we 
may venture any where without fear or concern. 

Always regard what is said to you by those who are 
your superiours, either in age or learning ; and reply, 
If necessary, with respectful modesty. Never slight 
their advice, but let your looks and deportment indicate 
your intention to endeavour to profit by their instructions . 

When any person speaks to you, or you to him, on 
any occasion, look him in Jie face with modesty and at- 
tention ; and begin not to answer before he has done 
speaking ; and then answer respectfully, and with the 
face turned towards him ; for to reply with the face 
another way, indicates awkwardness and disrespect. 

Be not forward in speaking, when strangers or those 
who are your acquaintance, come into the presence of # 
your parents or superiours ; but wait until they have 
spoken; and let modesty and decency govern your * 
words and deportment. 

Never attempt to tell a story, with which you are not 
well acquainted ; nor fatigue your hearers with relating 
little trifling circumstances. Relate the principal points 
with clearness and precision, and you will be heard 
with pleasure. 

Carefully observe whether the person with whom you 
are discoursing, be pleased with your conversation or 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 181 

not ; for if he appears to hear you with indifference, 
you had . much better be silent, and not try to detain 
him in order to be heard. 

Be studiously careful not to deserve the character of 
a great talker ; for incessant talkers are very disagree- 
able companions. The greatest wisdom of speech is to 
know when, and what, and where to speak ; the time, 
matter and manner ; the next to it, is silence. 

Avoid disputes as much as possible^; and never con- 
tradict, nor oppose the opinion of another, but with great 
modesty. A modest person seldom fails of gaining the 
good will of those with whom he converses : whereas, 
those who contradict, and appear dogmatical upon all ' 
occasions, will surely procure disgust. 

Carefully avoid whispering, when yoy are in compa- 
ny ; it is a mark of ill breeding, and seems to insinuate 
that the persons whom you wish should not hear, are 
unworthy of your confidence, or it induces them to sup- 
pose that you are speaking improperly of them. 

When you are in company with a stranger, never be- 
gin to question him about his name, his place of resi- 
dence, and his business. This impudent curiosity is 
the height of ill manners. 

Some persons apologize, in a good natured manner, 
for their inquisitiveness ; by an " If I may be so bold : 5J » 
" If I may take the liberty ;" or, " Pray sir excuse my 
freedom." These attempts to excuse one's self, imply 
that a man thinks himself an impudent fellow, and if he 
does not, other people think he is, and treat him as such. 
Frequent and loud laughter, is the characteristick ot 
folly and ill manners ; it is the manner in which silly 
people express their joy at silly things. 

Whistling in company, humming a tune, drumming 
with the fingers, and making a noise with the feet, are 
all breaches of good manners, and indications of con- 
tempt for the persons present. 

Nothing is more common, although disgusting, than 

to see persons of all ranks and degrees, criticise on the 

dress and general deportment of their departed guests : 

and often ridicule and condemn those things behind 

16 



132 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED. 



their backs, which to their faces, they approved and 
applauded. 

Let nie entreat you never to make your friends ap- 
pear in a disadvantageous light ; but on the contrary, 
extol the perfections and accomplishments they possess, 
and cast a veil over their defects. 

Above all, adhere to mojals and religion with im- 
moveable firmness. Whatever effect outward show and 
accomplishments may have, in recommending a man to 
others, none but the good are really happy in themselves* 



SECTION LXXV. 
Words of four syllables, accented on the third. 



Ac cla ma tion, 1%. a shout of 

applause [cusing 

Ac cu 5a tion, n. the act of ac- 
Ad mi ra tion, n. the act of 

admiring [ship 

Ad o ra tion, n. divine wor- 
Ad van ta geous, a. profitable 
Af fee ta tion, n. an artificial 

appearance 
Af fi da vit, n. a declaration 

upon oath [ an g^r 

Ag gra va tion, n. exciting to 
Al ter a tion, n. the act of 

changing 
An i ma tion, n. the act of 

enlivening 
An te ce dent, ri. that which 

goes before 
Ap pel la tion, n. a name, title 
Ap pli ca tion, n. the act of 

applying [approving 

Ap pro ba tion, n. the act of 
Ar bi tra tion, n. a decision 
Cal cu la tion, n. computa- 
tion, reckoning 
Cel e bra tion, n. a solemn 

performance,remembrance 
Com men da tion, n. praise 



l 

Com pen sa tion, n. recom- 
pense 

Com pu ta tion, 71. calculation 

Con dem na tion, n. sentence 
of punishment 

Con gre ga tion, n. an assem- 
bly, a collection 

Con so la tion, n. comfort 

Con stel la tion, n. a cluster 
of fixed stars 

Con ster na tion, n. fear, as- 
tonishment, wonder, dread 

Con sti tu tion, n. a law, de- 
cree, form of government ; 
the frame of body or mind 

Con tern pla tion, n. medita?- 
tion, study 

Con tri bu tion, n. the act of 
contributing [discourse 

Con ver sa tion, w. familiar 

Cor po ra tion, n. a body cor- 
porate, a body politick 

Cul ti va tion, n. improvement 

Dec la ma tion,n. a discourse, 
speech, harangue 

Dec la ra tion, n. affirmation, 
publication fdress 

Dec o ra tion, n. ornament, 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED. 



183 



Des o la lion, n. destruction 

Dis a gree ment, n. difference 

Dis so lu tion, n. dissolving, 
ruin 

Ef fi ca cious, a. powerful 

EI era tion, n. a raising up, 
exaltation, height [speech 

El o cu tion, n. fluency of 

Em i gra tion, n. a change of 
habitation or place 

En ter tarn ment, n. treat- 
ment,reception,amusernent 

Ex hor ta tion, n. an incite- 
ment to good 

Ex pec ta tion, n. the act or 
state of expecting [tion 

Ex pla nation, n. interpreta- 

Gen er a tion, n. an age, a 
race, family, production 

Hab i ta tion, n. a place of 
abode, dwelling 

Hes i ta tion, h. a stop in 
speech, doubt 

Im i ta tion, n. an attempt to 
resemble 

Im pre ca tion, n. an invoca- 
tion of evil, a curse 

In cli na tion, n. tendency to- 
wards any point, affection 

In de co rum, n. indecency 

In di ca tion, n. a mark or 
sign, token 

In dig na tion, n. anger mix- 
ed with contempt 

In flam ma tion, n. an inflam- 
ed state, heat, swelling 

In for in a tion, n. intelligence 
given, notice, instruction 

In spi ra tion, n. divine wis- 
dom ; the act of drawing 
in the breath 

In sti tu tion, n. an establish- 
ment, a law 



In ti ma tion, n. a hint, indi- 
rect declaration 

In un da tion, n. an overflow 
of water, a deluge 

In vi ta tion, n. the act of in- 
viting, a bidding 

In vo ca tion, n. the act of 
calling upon by prayer 

Lam en ta tion, n, an expres- 
sion of sorrow 

Leg is la tion, [g soft] n. the 
act of giving or passing laws 

Lib er a tion, n. the act of 
setting free 

Lit er a ti, n. the learned 

Me di a tor, n. an interces- 
sor, an adviser 

Med i tation, n. deep thought, 
contemplation 

Mis be hav i0ur,?*. ill conduct 

Mod er a tion, n. calmness of 
mind, mildness 

Nav i ga tion, n. the act of 
passing by water 

Nona i na tion, n. a naming, 
the power of appointing 

Nu mer a tion, n. the art of 
numbering [ment, bond 

Ob li ga tion, n. an engage- 
Ob ser va tion, n. a remark, 
the act of observing 

Oc cu pa tion, n. employ- 
ment, business 

Op er. a tion, n. action, ef- 
fect, agency [daining 

Or di national, the act ofor- 

Os ten ta tious, a. boastful, 
vain, proud 

Per se cu tion, n. the act of 
persecuting [sweating 

Per spi ra tion, n. the act of 

Pop u la tion, n. the number 
of inhabitants 



184 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Prep a ra tion, n. a making 

ready for some purpose 
Pres er va tion, n. the act of 

preserving 
Proe ia ma tion, n. a publica- 
tion by authority, notice 
Pub li ca tion, n. the act of 
publishing [diversion 

Rec re a tion, n. amusement, 
Ref or ma tion, n. a change 

from worse to better 
Reg u la tion, n. method, rule 
Rep u tation,«. honour,credit 
Res o hi tion, n. fixed deter- 
mination, constancy 
Res pi ra tion, n. the act of 
breathing [restoring 

Res ti tu tion, n. the act of 
Rev o lu tion, n. a returning 
l_ motion ; a change of govern- 
ment in a state or country 
Sal ti ta tion, n. the act of sa- 
luting [disjunction 
Sep ar a tion, n. a parting, 
Stip u la tion, n. a bargain 
Su per vi sor, n. an overseer,, 
an inspector [end 
Ter mi na tion, n. conclusion, 
Trib u la tion, n. vexation, 

distrejsg 
Un der ta king, n. enterprise, 
engagement [ation 

Va ri a tion,. n. change, devi- 
Ven er a tion, n. reverent re- 
gard, awful respect 
2 
*Ap pre hen sion, n. fear 
Ar ti fi cial, a. made by art 
Ben e die tion, n. blessing 
Ben e fac tor,n. one who does 

acts of kindness 
Ben e fi cial, a. advantageous, 
profitable, useful 



Com po si tion, n. a mixture ; 

a written work 
Com pre hen sive, a. having 
the power to understand ; 
comprising much 
Def i ni tion, n. description 
Dis ad van tage, n. loss, injury 
Dis con ten ted, a. uneasy 
Dis con tin ue, v. to leave off 
Dis in her it, v. to deprive of 
inheritance [dency 

Dis po si tion, n. temper ; ten- 
Er u di tion, n. learning, in- 
struction 
Ev er las ting, a. perpetual, 
lasting without end [tive 
Ex pe di tious, a. quick, ac- 
Im per fee tion, n. a defect, 
failure, fault [regard 

In at ten tion, ri neglect, dis- 
In at ten tive, a. careless,neg- 

ligent 
In con sis tent, a. incompati- 
ble, absurd, contrary [ly 
In cor rect \y,ad. inaccurate- 
In cor rup tion, n. a state of 
' purity 
In de pen dence, n. freedom, 

exemption from control 
In de pen dent, a. 'free, no? 

subject to control 
In dis tinct ly, ad. confusedly 
In of fen sive, a. harmless 
In sur rec tion, n. rebellion, 

a seditious rising 
In ter ces sion, n. mediation 
In ter ces sour, w.a mediator 
In ter mis sion, n. a pause, a 

cessation for a time 
In ter rup tion, n. obstruc- 
tion, hinderance, stop 
In ter sec tion,n.a point where 
lines cross each other 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER. 



185 



In tro due tion, n. the act of 
conducting to, a preface 

Mai e fac tor, n. a criminal 

Man u mis sion, w. the act of 
freeing slaves, freedom 

Math e mat icks, n. the sci- 
ence of number and measure 

Mem o ran dum, n. a note to 
help the memory 

Non ex is tence, n. state of 
not existing 

Not with stand ing, conj. nev- 
ertheless, in spite of 

Om ni pres ence, n. the quali- 
ty of being every where 
present [every place 

Om ni pres ent, a. present in 

Op po si tion, n. resistance, 
a party opposing 

O ver val ue } v. to rate at too 
high a price 

Per ad ven ture, [t like tsh] 
ad. perhaps 



Pol i ti cian, n. one who is 

skilled in politicks [rious 

Prej u di cial, a. hurtful, inju- 

Pres i den tial, a. pertaining 

to a president 
Prov i den tial, a. effected by 

providence 
Rec ol lee tion, n. recovery of 
thoughts, memory [peating 
Rep e ti tion, n. the act of re- 
Res ur rec tion r n.revivalfrom 

the dead 
Sat is fac tion, n. the state of 

being satisfied 
Un der stand ing, n. intellec- 
tual powers, skill 
Un sue cess ful, a. unlucky, 
not successful 
5 
Cor re spon dencc, n. inter 

course, engagement 
Pa tri ot ick, a. having patri- 
otism, noble 



SECTION LXXVI. 

Writing. 

Writing is that art which enables us to express our 
ideas by letters. It may be considered as the parent 
of numberless improvements, and as one of the highest 
ornaments of social life. 

It affords us the means of preserving the fruits of our 
mental investigations ; and has presented us with innu- 
merable lessons of instruction from the ancient narra- 
tions of history. 

To enumerate all the advantages derived from alpha- 
betical writing, would be to range a boundless field of 
observation, and to trace the progress of improvements 
from the first use of letters to the present period. 

The benefits conferred dm mankind by this art, can- 
not be too highly appreciated ; since from the simple 
process of writing, we can rive a faithful representation 

16* 



18$ THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER. 

of our thoughts and sentiments, which we can wrap up* 
and transmit to other parts of the world :. and by this 
kind of communication, keep up a social intercourse 
with our most distant friends. 

The rudiments of the art of writing are very simple, 
Its advancement to its present state of improvement, 
slow and gradual. In the first use of visible language, 
marks were used as signs of things ; and we can trace 
it through all its stages, from the simple picture, to the 
arbitrary wo^k for the elements of sound. 

The writing of antiquity, was a specie^ of engraving. 
Pillars and tables of stone were first used for> this pur- 
pose, and afterwards plates of the softer metals, such as 
lead ; or tables of wax, and skins of parchment* A pol- 
ished point of iron, called the stylus, was used to scratch 
letters on the wax ; but the writing on parchment was 
performed with pen and ink. 

In noticing the various methods of writkig which have 
prevailed in different nations, we find that it has been 
customary for some people to begin their lines at the 
right hand side of the page, and write towards the left : 
others have extended their lines from the top to the bot- 
tom, in a perpendicular manner. 

The former was the method pursued by the Hebrews, 
Phenicians, and Arabians ; and the latter custom still 
prevails with the Chinese. But in modern times, the 
most prevalent method is to write from left to right, as 
practised by all the civilized nations in Europe and 
America, . .. . 

SECTION LXXVII. 

On saying too much. 

The art of holding the tongue, is quite as necessary 
as the art of speaking ; and in some instances, it is even 
more difficult to learn. 

In a biographical notice of a celebrated speaker in 
the British House of Conimons, it is remarked, that 
" he never said loo much" This is, in truth, a rare com* 
tnendation of a publick speaker. 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER. 1&7 

One who without circumlocution or parade, comes to 
the matter in hand at once, and pertinaciously adheres 
to it throughout — who seizes on the strong points in the 
argument, and sets them to view hi the clearest light — 
who says all that is proper, and nothing more — whose 
every sentence strikes home,*and who remembers " to 
leave off when he has done :" such a publick 'speaker, 
whether in the hall of legislation, in the pulpit, or at 
the bar, will never tire his hearers. 

Man, or even Woman, when enjoying the freedom of 
the tongue, and gifted with the faculty of using it flu- 
ently, is more apt to say too much than too little. 

When a room full of ladies are all speaking at the same 
instant, only with this difference, that some tune their 
voices higher, and some lower — it is pretty clear that 
'they say too much. But this is tender ground, on which 
I would tread lighdy. 

They who expect to be listened to by every body, 
but are unwilling themselves to listen to any body — who 
Will hold you by the sleeve or button if you attempt to 
escape them, and din you the harder, the more you show 
signs of weariness ; this tribe of talkers, as all'Lut them- 
selves will readily admit, say too much. 

Persons who have wit, or who think they have it, are 
in particular hazard of saying too much. It is one of 
the hardest things in the world to make a temperate use 
of real, or of self-supposed wit; and more particularly ot 
the talent for raillery. And hence, many a one, not ill- 
natured, and meaning nothing more than to show off his 
wit, multiplies enemies, and sometimes wounds his best 
friends. To make use of a line in one of Crabbers poems, 
" He kindles anger by untimely jokes." 

'They who talk merely with intent to shine in com- 
pany, or for the sake of showing off to advantage their 
own parts and learning, always say too much. 

The fond pair, who entertain their visitants by the 
hour, with setting forth the excellent qualities or smart 
sayings of their own children, or with ridiculous details 
of the rare conjugal affection that subsists between them- 
selves — say too much / 



188 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

Those who are inordinately fond of speaking in the 
first person — I myself- — it is more than an even chance 
that they will say too much. 

When a young man whose stock is small, is more 
eager to expend it in talking, than to increase it by pa- 
tient listening, he is very apt to say too much. 

Old men are prone to say too much, when, getting 
into the preterplwperfect tense, they represent the for- 
mer days as every way better than these : as if the hu- 
man family, notwithstanding the perpetual accumula- 
tion of experience, were perpetually retrograding in- 
stead of advancing. 

It is seldom that men do not say too much, in their 
convivial moments. It is then that they are peculiarly 
apt to say something which they are sorry for on the 
morrow ; for " when wine is in, discretion is out." 

1 will conclude with a caution. — Let not him that 
talketh not, despise him that talketh. There have been 
some wights of the human family, both male and female, 
that have obtained the reputation of abilities and wisdom 
by their grave taciturnity — every body thinking that 
they could say a great deal if they would — when, in so- 
ber truth, their habitual silence was owing rather to 
dearth of ideas or to dulness. 

To be humdrum in company, is as wide from the true 
mark, as to be garrulous. 



x SECTION LXXVI1I. 

Words of five syllables , accented on the second. 



x 

A gree a ble ness, n. the qual- 
ity of pleasing [take 
Er ro ne ous ly, ad. by mis- 
Har mo ni ous tyyw/.musically 
He ro i cal ly,ad. courageous- 
ly, bravely, boldly 
Im me di ate ly, ad. instant- 
ly, at the present time 
In ge ni ous ly, ad. wittily 
Id nu mer a ble, a. not to be 
numbered 



i 

In va ri a ble, a. unchangea- 
ble, constant [bly 
In va ri a bly, ad. unchangea- 
In vi o la ble, a. not to be bro- 
ken or profaned 
Un rea son a ble, a. unjust? 
not agreeable to reason 
2 
Af fee tion ate ly, ad. fondly 
Con fed er a cy, n. a league, 
bond, union 



.THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER. 



189 



Con sid er a ble, a. worthy of 
regard, important [ness 
Con temp ti ble ness, n. vile- 
Con spic u 0us ness, n. clear- 
ness, fame, renown [pause 

Con tin u al ly, ad. without 

De ter mi nate ly, ad. reso- 
lutely 

Em phat i cai ly, ad. forcibly 

Ex cep tion a ble, a. liable to 
some objection 

Ex trav a gant ly,<z^.wasteful~ 
Iy,in an unreasonable degree 

Oram mat i cal ly, ad. accord- 
ing to the rules of grammar 

II lus tri <?us ness, n. grand- 
eur, eminence 

Im pen i tent ly, ad. without 
repentance 

Im per ish a ble, a. not liable 
to decay or perish 

Im prac ti cable, a. unattain- 
able, impossible 

In ac cura cy, n. a defect, 

* want of exactness 

In ap pli cable, a. that cannot 
be applied 

In def i nite ly, ad. in an un- 
limited manner [cacy 

In del i ca cy, n. want of deli- 

In dus tri mis \y,ad. diligently 

In ev i ta ble, a. unavoidable 

In gen u ous ly, ad. openly, 
candidly, freely 

In im i ta ble, «. not to be im- 
itated or copied, very fine 

In sep ar a ble, a. united so 
as not to be parted 

In suffer a ble, a. intolerable, 
detestable 

lii tel li gi ble, a. easily un- 
derstood [plainly 



In tern per ate»Jy, ad. exces- 
sively 

In ten tion al ly, ad. by de- 
sign, with fixed choice 

In val u a ble, a. very valua- 
ble, inestimable 

Ir reg u lar ly, ad. in an ir- 
regular manner 

Mag nan i mous ly, ad. brave- 



courageously 



pom- 



Mag nif i cent ly, ad. 
pously, splendidly 

Ma jes ti cal ly, ad. with dig- 
nity, with grandeur [will 

Ma lev o lent ly, ad. with ill 

Par tic u lar ly, ad. distinctly, 
singly 

Per pet u al Iy,[t like- tsh] ad, 
c on tin u ally [i ntro d u ci or v 

Pre lirn i na ry, a. previous , 

Pre sump tu 011s ly, [ t like 
tsh] ad. haughtily, proudly 

Pre sump tu ous ness, [ t like 
tsh] n. rashness, excess g£ 
confidence 

Pro mis cu #us ly, ad. indis- 
criminately, confusedly 

Re pub ii can ism, n. attach** 
ment to a republican gov 
ernment 

Un char i ta ble, a. unkind, 
having no charity 
3 

Un al ter a ble, a. incapable 
of being altered 
5 

A bom i na ble, a. hateful, de- 
testable 

De pos 1 tor y,n. a place where 
things are lodged 

Dis hon our a ble, a. shame- 
ful, reproachful [bistorv 
In tel li gi bly, ad clearljf, t His tor 1 cal 1>, ad. by way of 



190 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED. 



Im mod er ate ly, ad, m an 
excessive degree 

In com pe ten cy, n. inability 

In com pe tent ly, ad. unsuit- 
ably 

In hos pi ta ble, a. unfeeling, 
unkind to strangers 

In tol er a ble, a. insufferable, 
very bad, vile 



In vol un ta ry, a. not done 
willingly 

Me thod i cal ly, ad. accor- 
ding to method, exactly 

Un prof i ta ble, a. useless, 
vain 
8 

Un com for ta ble, a. misera- 
ble, dismal, gloomy 






SECTION LXXIX. 
Words of jive syllables, accented on the third. 



As si du i ty, n. diligence 
Cer e mo ni al, a. formal, ob- 
servant of old forms 
Con sti tu tion al, a. legal, 
consistent with the consti- 
tution 
Dis a gree a ble, a. unpleasant 
Ex com mu ni cate, v. to ex- 
clude, expel) put out [cutes 
Ex e cu tion er, n. he that exe- 
1m mate ri al, a. unimportant 
Im ma tu ri ty, n. unripeness 
Im me mo ri al, a. past the 

time of memory 
Im pro pri e ty, n. unfitness 
In com mo di ous, a. inconve 

nient, unsuitable 
In con cei va ble, a. incom 

prehensible 

In ere du li ty, n. hardness of 

belief [excused 

Li ex cu sa ble, a. not to be 

In ex pe ri ence, n. want of 

experimental knowledge 
In ge nu i ty, n. wit, genius, 
acuteness [cal 

Xln har mo ni ous, a. unmusi- 
In stan ta ne ous, a. done in 
u an instant* immediate 



In sup por ta ble, «. not to bo 

endured 
Ir re du ci ble, a. that which 

cannot be reduced - 
Mat ri mo ni at, a. nuptial, 

pertaining to marriage 
Mer i to ri ous, a. deserving 

of reward or honour 
Mis eel la ne ous, a. mingled, 

composed of various kinds 
Op por tu ni ty, n. a fit place, 

time, convenience 
Pat ri mo ni al, a. derived by 

inheritance [plainness 

Per spi cu i ty, n. clearness, 
Rev o l.u tion ist, n. one en- 
gaged in a revolution [plus 
Su per flu i ty, n. excess, over- 

2 

Af fa bil i ty, n civility 

An ni ver sa ry, n. a yearly 

festival [round 

Cir cum nav i gate, v. to sail 
Com pre hen sive ness, n. the 

quality of containing much 

in few words 
Dis a bil i ty, n. weakness, 

want of power [ing 

Du ra bil i ty, n. power of last- 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Ml 



Ev an gel i cal, a. agreeable 
to gospel, divine 

Ge ne al o gy, n. history of 
famiiy descendants 

Gen er al i ty, n. the main 
body, most part 

Hos pi tal i ty, n. liberality in 
entertainments ; the prac- 
tice of entertaining stran- 
gers 

Hyp o crit i cal, a. insincere, 
false, dissembling 

Im mo ral i ty, n. want of vir- 
tue [from death 

Im mor tal i ty, ». exemption 

Im per cep ti ble, a. not to be 
perceived 

In a bil i ty, n. want of pow- 
er, weakness 

In ac tiv i ty, n> idleness 

In com bus ti ble, a. not to be 
consumed by fire 

In com pas sion ate, a, void of 
pity, cruel 

In com pat i ble, a, inconsis- 
tent [thoughtless 

In con sid er ate, a. careless, 

In con sis ten cy, n. disagree- 
ment, absurdity, contradic- 
tion [ly 

In con sis tent ly, ad. absurd - 

In dis crim i nate, a. undis- 
tinguished, confused 

In dis pen sable, a. necessa- 
ry, not to be spared 

In di vis i ble, a. that which 
cannot be divided 

|n effectual, [t like tsh] a. 
without power, weak 

In ex pres si ble, a. not to be 
described, unutterable 

In hu man i ty, n. cruelty, 
barbarity 



In of fen sive ly, ad. without 
harm 

In sig nif i cance, n. unimpor- 
tance, want of meaning 

In sig nif i cant,a,unimportant 

In tel lee tu al, [t like tsh] a. 
relating to the understanding 

In tre pid i ty, n. fearless- 
ness, courage, bravery 

In tro due tor y, a. previous^ 
preparatory to something 
else 

Ir re sis ti ble, a. that which 
cannot be resisted 

Lib er al i ty, n. generosity, 
kindness 

Mag na nim i ty, n. greatness 
of mind, bravery 

Min er al o gy, n.the doctrine 
of minerals ". [spelled 

Or tho graph i cal, a, rightly 

Per pen die u lar, ?i. anything 
directly upright [of right 

Plau si bil i ty, n. appearance 

Pop u lar i ty, n. the favour or 
love of the people 

Pos si bil i ty, n. the state of 
being possible 

Prob a bil i ty, n. likelihood 

Prod i gal i ty, n. extrava- 
gance, waste 

Punc tu al i ty, [t like tsh] n, 
exactness, nicety 

Reg u lar i ty, w. order, meth- 
od, exactness 

Rep re sent a tivc, n. a substi- 
tute in power, a deputy 

Sen si bil i ty, n. quickness of 
sensation 

Sim i lar i ty, n* likeness, re- 
semblance 

Su per ex eel lent, a. uncom- 
monly excellent 



192 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



Su per nat u ral, [t like tsh] 
a. above the powers of na- 
ture [ly 
Un ex pec ted ly, ad. sudden- 
U ni ver si ty, m a general 
school of liberal arts 

8 

In con for mi ty, n. incompli- 
ance 

U ni for mi ty, n. sameness, 
resemblance 

5 

An i mos i ty, n. hatred ^ 
Ar is toe ra cy, n. a govern- 
ment by nobles 
Cu ri os i ty, n. niceness, in- 
quisitiveness 



Ec o nomi cal,a.savmg, pru- 
dent, frugal 

Et y mol o gy 9 n. the deriva* 
tion of words , 

Gen er os i ty, n. liberality 

Im me thod i cal, a. irregu- 
lar, confused 

In e qual i ty, n. unevenness 

Lex i cog ra pher, w. writer 
of a dictionary 

Trig o nom e try,n. the art of 
measuring triangles 

6 [removed 

Ir re move a ble, a* not to be 

oi 

Un a void a ble, a. inevitable, 
not to be shunned 



SECTION LXXX. 

What is Time 9 
I ask'd an aged man, a man of cares, 
Wrinkled and curv'd, and white with hoary hairs 3 
" Time is the warp of life," he said — " O tell 
The young, the fair, the gay, to weave it well." 

1 ask'd the ancient, venerable dead, 
Sages who wrote, and warriours who bled : 
From the cold grave a hollow murmur flow'd 
a Time sow'd the seeds we reap in thjs abode." 

I- ask'd a dying sinner, ere the stroke 
Of ruthless* death, life's golden bowl had broke, 
I ask'd him what is time — " Time," he replied, 
" Fve lost it, ah ! the treasure ;" and he died. 

I ask'd the golden sun and silver spheres, 
Those bright chronometers of days and years, 
They answer'd, u Time is but a meteor's glare," 
And bade me for eternity prepare. 

1 ask'd the seasons in their annual round, 
Which beautify or desolate the ground ; 
And they replied, (no oracle more wise,) ; 
" ? Tis folly's blank* and wisdom's highest prize," 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 193 

Of things inanimate, my dial I 
Consulted, and it made me this reply — 
" Time is the season fair, of living well, 
The path to glory, or the path to hell." 

I ask'd the Bible, and methinks it said, 
" Time is the present hour, the past is fled 
Live — live to day ! to-morrow never yet 
On any human being rose or set." 



SECTION J.XXXI. 

Youth. 

What is youth like ? 'tis like a flower 
That opens to the morning sun, 
That's lovely to the eye an hour, 
When lo, its blushing beauty's gone. 

'Tis like a dream, when fancy reigns, 
And spreads her airy mantle round, 
Imagination rules the brains, 
And judgement lies in sleep profound. 

'Tis like a fragile bark when tost, 
High bounding o'er the restless wave, 
That's in a moment wreck'd and lost 
Forever in a watery grave. 

'Tis like the spring when verdure yields 
A pleasing prospect to the eye, 
When vestments, through a thousand fields, 
Lose, by summer suns, their die. 

'Tis like the infant ice laid o'er 
The peaceful bosom of the lake, 
Where boys, adventurous from the shore, 
Their sudden, woful exit make. 

'Tis like a faithless promise' lure, 
Which prospect paints to fancy's eye, 
And renders disappointment sure, 
Which leaves the lamp of hope to die. 

'Tis like the falling snow, you've seen 
Descending from its frozen store, 



194 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTOR 

When driven on the running stream, 
It disappears, is seen no more: 

'Tis like those varying colours bright, ■ 
Reflected from an ev'ning cloud, 
Which, fading at the approach of night, 
Are mantled in a murky shroud 

SECTION LXXXII. 

Night. 

The sun goes down, he sinks in western skies, 
Darkness prevails, and now the twilight dies. 
Now twinkling stars unmeasured space look through* 
Our thoughts invite beyond the ethereal blue 

The silver moon, from ocean's rolling tide, 
Comes forth to rule, extends her sceptre wide ; 
O'er forests, hills and dales, her placid ray 
Delights to wander till returning day. 

Well, I remember, when in tender years, ? 
My ev'ning walks, quite free from worldly cares/ 
With pleasure I beheld with eager eye, 
Those gems of light revolving through the sky. 

I 
By the kind moon's most calm, unclouded light,' 
I walk'd o'er brooks and rivulets by night ; 
Her mild, her placid face T oft have seen 
Well pleas'd reflected from the gurgling stream. 

But night's the time for rest and calm repose, 
When cares subside, and toil and labour close ; 
When sleep his dreamless curtain spreads around, 
And locks us fast in thoughtlessness profound. 

Such may be death, when life's short race is run, 
Its hours past, and sinks its ev'ning sun ; 
No twinkling star shall light the silent tomb, 
Nor moon's soft beam disturb the dreary gloom. 

As we retire to sleep, in hope to rise, 
When Sol's bright beams shall blush in eastern skies, 
Immortal hope shall cheer our latest breath, 
Expecting day beyond the nigh o** death* 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER 



195 



' SECTION 

Words of Jive syllables, 
l 

Ab bre vi a tion, n. the act of 
shortening 

A- bom i na tion, n. hatred, 
pollution 

Ac com mo da tion, n. con- 
venience 

Ad min is tra tion, n. the act 
of administering 

Ad min is tra tor, n. a man 
that administers 

Ad min is tra trix, n. a wo- 
man that administers 

Al le vi a tion, n. the act of 
making light 

Ap pro pri a tion, n. applica- 
tion to some particular use 

Ar tic u la tion, n. the act of 
forming words 

Ca lum ni a tion, n. a false 
report, slander 

Civ i li za tion, n. the state of 
being civilized, politeness 

Clar i fi ca tion, n. the act of 
making clear 

Co ag u la tion, n. the act of, 
or body formed by curdling 

Con fed er a tion,n. close al- 
liance, league 

Con sid er a tion, n. serious 
thought, regard, prudence 

De ter mi na tion, n. conclu- 
sion, resolution, decision 

Dis ap pro ba tion, n. cen- 
sure, condemnation 

Ed i 6 ca tion, n. improve- 
ment, instruction 

E lu ci da tion, n. explanation 

E nu me ra tion, rc. the act of 
numbering or counting over 

For ti fi ca tion, n. a place 
built for defence 



LXXXIII. 

accented on the fourth. 
1 

Grat i fi ca tion, n pleasure, 
delight, reward 

Hu mil i a tion, n. the act of 
humility 

II lu mi na tion, n. a giving 
light, brightness 

Im ag in a tion, [g soft] n. 
fancy, idea, notion 

In oc u la tion, n. the act of 
inoculating or grafting 

In ter pre ta tion, n. an ex- 
planation 

In ter ro ga tion, w. a question 
put; a point marked thus(?) 

In tox i ca tion, n\ drunken- 
ness [tion 

In ves ti ga tion, n. examina- 

Ir ra di a tion, n. an enlight- 
ening 

Jus ti fi ca tion,n. vindication, 
defence 

Man i fes ta tion, n. a discov- 
ery, a publication 

Mis ap pli ca tion, n. applica- 
tion to a wrong purpose 

Mod i fi ca tion, n. the act of 
modifying 

Mor ti fi ca tion, n. putrefac- 
tion, gangrene 

Mul ti pli ca tion, n. the act 
of multiplying 

No ti fi ca tion, n. the act of- 
making known 

Pre des ti na tion, n. preordi- 
nation, a fatal decree 

Pro eras ti na tion, n. a de- 
lay, stop 

Prog nos ti ca tion, n. the act 
of foretelling 

Pu ri fi ca tion, n. the act of 
making pure 



196 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



1 

Qual i fi ca tion, n. an accom- 
plishment 

Rat i fi ca tion, n. confirrna* 
tion 

Rec cm men da tion, n. the 
act of recommending 

Re gen er a tion, n. the new 
birth, birth by grace 

Re rau ner a tion, n. a reward 

Rep re sen ta tion, n. like- 
ness, description 

He tal i a tion, n. return of 
like for like 



Sane ti fi ca tion, n. tne act 

of making holy 
Sig nif i ca tion, n. a meaning 

by signs or words 
Sub or di na tion, n. the state 
of being inferiour [of form 
Trans fig n ra tion, w.a change 

2 
Math e ma ti cian, n. one vers- 
ed in mathematicks [take 
Mis ap pre hen sion, n. mis- 
Mis un dcr stand irig, n. mis- 
conception, errour. 



SECTION LXXXIV. 

fVo7'ds of six, seven, and eight syllables ; in which the accent* 
cd syllables are defined by the figures being placed over them. 



Dis a gree a ble ness, n. of- 
fensiveness, unpleasantness 

In com mo di ous ness, n, in- 
convenience 

In stan ta ne ous ly, ad, soon, 
in an indivisible point of 
time 

Sii per nu mer ar y, a. being 
above the stated number 
2 

Cir dam nav i ga ble, a. that 
which may be sailed round 

Hyp o crit i cal ly, ad. with- 
out sincerity, falsely 

In ar tic u late ly, ad. indis- 
tinctly 

In con sid er a ble ness, n. 
small importance 

In con sid er a ble, a. unwor- 
thy of notice 

In con sid er ate ly,arf.thought- 
lessly 

In con sid er ate ness, n. inat- 
tention [ed 

In de fat i ga ble, a. unweari- 



In de ter mi na ble, a. not to 
be fixed, not to be defined 

In de ter mi nate ly, ad. in aa 
unsettled manner * 

In ex tin guish a ble, a. un- 
quenchable 

Or tho graph i cal ly, ad. ac- 
cording to the rules of spel- 
ling 

Un in tel li gi ble, a. such as 
cannot be understood 

Un in tel li gi bly, adi not to 
be understood 
5 

Im me thod i cal ly, ad. ir- 
regularly, without method 
8 

lr re cov er a ble, a. not to 
be regained [recover^ 

lr re cov er a bly ? ad. beyond 
l 

An te di lu vi an, a. existing 
before the flood 

Me di a to ri al, a. belonging 
to a mediator 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



197 



1 s 

Pre des ti na ri an, n. one that 
holds the doctrine of pre- 
destination 
2 

Exrper i men tal ly, ad. by ex- 
perience, by trial 

Im mu ta bil i ty, n. exemp- 
tion from change 

Im pos si bil i ty, n. impracti- 
cability, that which cannot 
be done 

Im prob a bil i ty, n. unlike- 
lihood, absurdity 

In ca pa bil i ty, n. inability, 
a disqualification 

In com pre hen si ble, a. not 
to be conceived 

In cu ra bil i ty, n. an impos- 
sibility of cure 

In stru men tal i ty, n. subor- 
dinate agency 

In vis i bil i ty, n. the -state 
of being invisible 

Ir reg u lar i ty, n. a devia- 
tion from rule 

Per cep ti bil i ty, n. the pow- 
er of perceiving 

Plen i po ten tia ry, h. a ne- 
gotiator invested with full 
power 

Prac ti ca bil i ty, n. possibil- 
ity of being performed 



Sem i di am e ter, n. the half 
of a diameter 

Su per in tend en cy, n. the 
act of overseeing 

Sus cep ti bil i ty, ft. the qual- 
ity or state of admitting 
| 5 -* 

In fe ri or i ty, n. a lower 
state of dignity or value 

Su pe ri or i ty, n. pre-emi- 
nence, the quality of being 
greater 

1 

Cir cum nav i ga tion, n. the 
act of sailing round 

Mis rep re sen ta tion, n. a 
wrong representation 

Pre de ter mi na tion, n. de- 
termination made before* 
hand 

Rec on cil i ation,rf. a renew- 
al of friendship, atonement 

2 

Im pen e tra bil i ty, n. an 
impenetrable quality 

In di vis i bil i ty, n. state in 
which no more division can 
be made 

In sep ar a bil i ty, n. an in- 
separable quality 
2 

In com pre hen si bil i ty, n. 
unconceivableness 



DECLARATION OF CONGRESS. 

" We hold these truths to be self-evident, 
that all men are created equal ; that they are 
endowed by their Creator with certain un- 
alienable rights ; that among these are life, lib- 
erty, and the pursuit of happiness." This 
is the language of America, of Reason^ and 
of Truth 

7» 



198 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

SECTION LXXXV. 

The Fourth of July. 

This day eommemorates the glorious epoch in our 
national history, when indignant Americans burst the 
thraldom of British tyranny, and asserted the rights with 
which God and Nature invested them, and decreed their 
just inheritance : when the voice of the American na- 
tion, by the mouth of their delegated sages and patri-* 
ots, declared " that these United States are, and of right 
ought to be, free, sovereign and independent." 

This resolution they bravely carried into effect, on 
the fourth day of July , in the ever-memorable year of 
Seventy-six ; and boldly pledged their lives, their for-* 
tunes, and their sacred honour, to support it. Still da 
their sons retrace with proud delight the record of theiF 
noble deeds ; still are millions ready to renew the pledge* 

Still do their bosoms glow with indignation at the story 
of their oppressions, exult in their successes, and weep 
over their misfortunes ; and contemplate with admira- 
tion their unshaken constancy, and more than Roman 
virtue, in that gloomy period when scarce a ray of hope 
gilded the dreariness of the prospect — when a licentious 
soldiery wasted our fields, pillaged our villages, confla- 
grated pur towns, butchered our citizens, violated the 
temples of our God— carrying terrour and dismay, fire 
and sword, through every section of our country. 

The enthusiasm with which the return of this day is 
hailed, is a pledge that the spirit of seventy-six is not 
extinct : although, most of the sages and heroes of the 
revolution, have yielded to the law of nature, and launch- 
ed that gulf whence none return, yet their mantles still 
rest on their sons. 

Americans ■! place constantly before your sight the 
deplorable scenes of your servitude, and the enchanting 
picture of your deliverance ! Begin with the infant in 
his cradle ; let the first word he lisps, be Washington. 
Let his first lessons of history be the wrongs which you 
suffered, and the courage which set you free. Let his 
daily prayers be expressions of gratitude to God, for 
raising you up accomplished chiefs ; for leading on 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER. 129 

your armies ; and for strengthening the arm of your 
peasants against the discipline and tyranny of Europe. 

Let the youth grow up amidst annual festivals, com- 
memorative of the events of war, and sacred to the 
memory of your heroes. Let him learn from his father 
to weep over the tombs of those heroes, and to bless 
their virtues. Let his first study be your declaration of 
independence, and the code of your constitution, which 
were sketched out amidst the clashing of arms. 

Let him stop at the end of the field which he ploughs* 
and while the tears start into his eyes, let him read, en- 
graven upon the rude stones ; " here savages in the pay 
of despotism, cast an infirm old man into the flames : here 
they dashed against the trees, children that were snatch- 
ed away from the breasts of their dying mothers." 

Are any so base as to sacrifice Liberty and Indepen 
dence to foreign ambition ? Would any exchange lib- 
erty and equal laws for despotism and oppression ? If 
any such there are, let them be marked for the detes- 
tation of freemen, the curse of heaven. 

Guard against the spirit of conquest : the tranquillity 
of empire decreases, as it is extended. Have arms for 
your defence, but have none for offence. Seek ease and 
health in labour ; prosperity in agriculture and manu- 
factures ; strength in good manners and virtue. Make 
the sciences and arts prosper, which distinguish the 
civilized man from the savage. Especially watch over 
the education of your children. 

It is from publick schools, be assured* that skilful 
magistrates, disciplined and courageous soldiers, good 
fathers, good husbands, goodbrothers, goodfriends, and 
honest men come forth. Wherever we see the youth 
depraved, the nation is on the decline. Let Liberty have 
an immoveable foundation in the wisdom of your con- 
stitutions ; and let it be the cement which unites your 
states, which cannot be destroyed. In view of all the 
blood-purchased blessings you enjoy, cultivate peace-> 
wisdom and integrity ; and 

u The bliss of these States in rapture shall run, 
" Till nature shall freese at the death of the Sun." 



200 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

SECTION LXXXVI. 

Ode for the Fourth of July. 

Let hymns of triumph rise around 

The shrine of Liberty ; 
Her temples fill with joyful sound, 

Of songs and minstrelsey. 

It is a nation's natal day, 

'Tis Freedom's jubilee : 
With thankful hearts due homage pay, 

The homage of the free. 

~ From thraldom's dream our father's woke, 
And spurn'd at tyrants' sway ; 
The sceptre of the mighty broke, 
And cast their chains away. 

Great Vvas the work, and great their souls 
Who made their country free — 

Their names are written on the rolls 
Of immortality t 

Others have fought, and battles won, 
In vain — their hope expires : 

Their chief was not a Washington, 
Their soldiers, not our sires. 

To despot rod let Europe bow, 
And shake her gilded chains ; 

Free as our streams to ocean flow, 
We tread our native plains. 

Uncheck'd, Columbia's Eagle soars, 
With wide and glorious sweep ; 

Her mountain Oak her thunder pours 
Triumphant o'er the deep. 

Invincible in battle field, 

Her march is victory ! — 
Strong are the arms in fight that wield 

The sword of Liberty. 

And long as justice holds her sway, 
And valour shields the brave, 

Undimm'd her stars shall shed their ray, 
And high her banners wave. 

These blessings claim our highest praise,. 

Of thankfulness and love — 
Loud hallelujahs let us raise 

T6 Him who rules above. 



201 

AN ABRIDGMENT OF 
ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 



English Grammar is the art of speaking and writing the 
English Language correctly. It is divided into four parts ; 
viz. Orthography, Etymology, Syntax, and Prosody. 

Orthography teaches the nature and powers of letters, 
and the just method of spelling words. 

Etymology treats of the different sorts of words, their va* 
rious modifications, and their derivation. 

Syntax treats of the agreement, government, and proper 
arrangement of "words and sentences. 

Prosody treats of the just pronunciation of words, and 
the laws of versification. 

ETYMOLOGY AND SYNTAX. 

i 
Words are divided into ten sorts ; commonly called parts 
of speech ; viz. 

1. Article, - 6. Participle, 

2. Noun or Substantive, 7. Adverb, 

3. Adjective, 8. Preposition, 

4. Pronoun, 9. Conjunction, and 

5. Verb, 10. Interjection. 
Syntax principally consists of two parts, Concord and 

Government. 

Concord is the agreement which one word has with anoth- 
er, in person, number, gender, or case. 

Government is that power which one part of speech has 
over another, in directing its mood, tense, or case. 

OF ARTICLES. 

An Article is a word prefixed to nouns to limit their 
signification ; as, a man ; an apple ; the tree ; the stars. 

There are two articles, a or aw,* and the. A or an is call- 
ed the indefinite article. The is called the definite article. 

*A is used before words beginning- with a consonant, orw long; as a 
man, a unicorn. It is also used before one ; as, many a one. An is used 
before words beginning with a vowel or silent h / as, an apple, an hour. 



202 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

The indefinite article limits the noun to one of a kind y 
but generally to no particular one ; as, " give me a book ;" 
that is, any book. 

The definite article limits the noun to one or more par- 
ticular objects ; as, u give me the book ;" " bring me the ap- 
ples ;" meaning some particular book, or apples referred to. 

OF NOUNS. 

A Noun is a word which is the name of any person, place, 
or thing ; as, man, house, New- York, faith, charity* 

Nouns are of two kinds, proper and common, 

A proper noun is a name given to one thing, to distin- 
guish it from other things of the same kind ; as, John T Alba~ 
ny, London, America. 

Common nouns are the names of whole sorts or species ; 
as, man, tree, river, city. 

To nouns belong person, number, gender, and case. 

Nouns are of the second person when spoken to, and of 
the third person when spoken of; as, " Charles, come here ^ 
" George is a good scholar." 

Number is the distinction of nouns with regard to the 
objects signified, as one or more. 

Nouns have two numbers ; the singular and plural. 

The singular number denotes but one object ; as, pen, 
hook, man. 

The plural number denotes more objects than one ; as, 
fens, books, men* 

Gender is the distinction of nouns with regard to sex. 
There are three genders, the Masculine, Feminine, and 
Neuter. 

The Masculine gender denotes males ; as, man, boy, king, 
husband, horse. 

The Feminine gender denotes females ; as, woman, girl, 
cow, hen. 

The Neuter gender denotes objects which are neither 
males nor females ; as, book, house, field A 

* Some nouns, from the nature of the things which they express, are 
used only in the singular form ; as, rye, jlax, flour, gold, silver, pride, Spc. 
others only in the plural form; as, ashes, snuffers,, shears, scissors, lungs, 
riches, victuals, Sfc. 

Some words are the same in both numbers; as, deer, sheep, swine, 
salmon, fyc. 

1 t Some nouns, naturally neuter, are by a figure of speech, converted 
into the masculine or feminine gender ; as, when we say of the sun, ht 
is setting:; and of a ship, she sails well. 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



203 



The English language has three methods of distinguish- 
ing the sex ; viz. 

1 . By different words ; as, 



Male. 


Female. 


Male. 


Female. 


Brother 


Sister 


Man 


Woman 


Father 


Mother 


Nephew 


Niece 


Husband 


Wife 


Sloven 


Slut 


King 


Queen 


Son 


Daughter 


Lad 


Lass 


Uncle 


Aunt 


Lord 


Lady 


Wizard 


Witch 


2. 


By a difference of termination ; 


as, 


Male. 


Female. 


Male. 


Female. 


Actor 


Actress 


Jew 


Jewess 


Emperor 


Empress 


Patron 


Patroness 


Executor 


Executrix 


Poet 


Poetess 


Governour 


Governess 


Prince 


Princess 


Heir 


Heiress 


Prophet 


Prophetess 


Hero 


Heroine 


Shepherd 


Shepherdess 


3. By 


prefixing some 


word indicating 


sex ; as. 



Male. Female. 

A man-servant A maid-servant 

A male-child A female-child 

A he-goat A she-goat 

Male descendants Female descendants 

Case is the different state or situation of nouns with re- 
gard to other words. Nouns have three cases, the nomina- 
tive, possessive, and objective. 

The Nominative case denotes the actor, or subject of the 
verb ; as, " John walks." a The boys play." 

The Possessive case denotes the relation of property or 
possession ; and is formed by adding an apostrophe with the 
letter s, to the noun ; as, " John's hat ;" u Women's bon- 
nets :" But when the plural ends in s, and sometimes also 
when the singular ends in ss, the apostrophe only is added ; 
as, " The Ladies' school ;" u For holiness 5 sake." 

The Objective case denotes the object of an action, or of 
a relation ; as, " John strikes Thomas ;" " he lives in 
New- York. 

Nouns are declined in the following manner. 



Singular. 


Plural. 


Singular. 


Plural. 


Norn. Man 


Men 
Men's 


Nom. King 


Kings 


Pos. Man's 


Pos. King's 


Kings' 


Obj. Man 


Men 


Obj. King 


Kings 



204 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



As soon as the pupil has committed to memory the defini- 
tions of the Article and Noun, he should be exercised in par- 
sing these parts of speech, as they are arranged in the fol- 
lowing Parsing Lesson. , 

PARSING LESSON I. 
Article and Noun. 
A book. 
Instructer. Pupil. 

What part of speech is a ? An article. 



What is an article ? 

What kind? - - - - 
Why? - - 

What does it belong to ? 
According to what rule ? 
What part of speech is 

book ? 
What is a noun ? 



An article is^a word prefixed to 
nouns to limit their signification. 

The indefinite. 

The indefinite article limits the 
noun to one of a kind. 

It belongs to book. 

Rule i.* (repeat the ride.) 



A noun. 

A noun is a word which is the name 

of any person, place or thing. 
Common. 
Common nouns are the names of 

whole sorts or species. 
The third. 

Because it is spoken of. 
The singular. 

Because it denotes but one object. 
The neuter. 
Because it denotes neither male 

nor female. 
The Nominative.f 
*RULE I. 
Articles belong to nouns which they limit or define ; as, 
A book ; an apple ; the house ; the stars." 



What kind ? 

Why? 

What person ? 

Why? . - 

What number ? 

Why? 

What gender ? 

Why? 

What case ? 



A boy 
A house 
A tree 
A garden 
A chair 
A table 



A unicorn 
An orange 
An apple 
An hour 
An eagle 
The garden 



The stars 
The clouds 
The rainbow 
Virtue 
Temperance 
A hammer 



t As soon as the pupil receives information enough to enable him to 
parse without giving the definitions, he may omit them and parse »b the 
usual way. 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 205 

The horizon The sciences The shoes 

Boston The continent A whim 

An earthquake The school A man 

Europe A fever The men 

America The Thames The woman 

The constitution A river The end 

PARSING LESSON II. 

LJouns in the Possessive case. 
John's book. 
Solution, John's is a proper noun, third person, singular 
number, masculine gender, possessive case, and governed by 
the noun book, according to Rule ii. (which repeat,) Book 
is a common noun, third person, singular number, neuter 
gender, and nominative case. 

The man's hat A painter's brush The prophetess' pre- 

William's paper Jacob's ladder diction 

A horse's bridle Cicero's orations Woodbridge's geog- 
The scholar's duty Job's comforters raphy U 

W oman's bonnet Murray's grammar John's brother's son 
The ship's masts Perry's victory Cicero's speech 

RULE II. 

A noun or pronoun in the possessive case, is governed by 
the noun it possesses; as, "John's book ;" "Perry's victo 
ry;" "Every tree is known by its fruit." 

OF ADJECTIVES. 

An Adjective is a word which expresses some quality 
or property of a noun ; as, " a good scholar ; a tall man/' 

Adjectives admit of three degrees of comparison; the 
positive, comparative, and superlative. 

The Positive degree expresses the quality of an object 
without any increase or diminution ; as, good, wise, great. 

The Comparative degree increases or lessens the positive 
in signification ; as, wiser, greater, less wise. 

The Superlative degree increases or lessens the positive 
to the highest or lowest degree ; as, wisest, greatest, leastwise. 
Comparison of Adjectives. 

The Simple word, or positive, becomes the comparative, 
by adding r or er ; and the superlative, by adding st ox est 
to the end of it ; as, 

Positive. Comparative. Superlative. 

Wise, Wiser, Wises* 

Great, Greater, Greatest. 

18 



205 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTOR. 



The words more and most, less and least, have the same 
effect ; as, 

Positive. Comparative. Superlative. 

Wise, more wise, most wise. 

Virtuous, less virtuous, least virtuous. 

Some adjectives are irregularly compared ; as, 

Positive. Comparative. Superlative 

Little, less, least. 

Bad, worse, worst. 

Good, better, best. 

PARSING LESSON III. 

Article, Adjective, and Noun. 
Delicious fruit. 
Pupil. 



Instructer. 
What part of speech is 

delicious? - 
What is an adjective? 



An adjective. 

An adjective is a word which ex- 
presses some quality or property 
of a noun. 



What degree of com- 
parison ? - 
Why? - 



The positive. 

Because it expresses the quality 
of the object without increase or 
diminution. 

Pos. delicious, Com. more deli- 
cious, Super, most delicious. 

It belongs to fruit. 
According to what rule? Rule hi. (Repeat the rule.) 

RULE III. 

Adjectives belong to the nouns, or pronouns which they 
qualify ; as, " A wise man ; a great house ; he is good." 



How is it compared? 
What does it belong to ? 



A sweet apple 
A bad pen 
A great house 
The verdant fields 
The industrious bees 
The dutiful stork 
The diligent farmer 
A temperate climate 
A free government 
The noblest prospect 
Aa obedient son 



American independence 

Virtue's fair form [tion 

Ramsay's American Revolu- 

A woman amiable 

The cool sequestered vale 

Life's gay varieties 

The rich man's prosperity 

The poor man's comfort 

A cheerful good old man 

The American war 

Washington's fareweB address 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 237 

OF PRONOUNS. 

A Pronocn is a word used instead of a noun, to avoid re- 
peating the same word ; as, u The man is happy ; he is be- 
nevolent ; he is useful. " 

There are three kinds of pronouns. Personal ^ Relative } 
and Adjective. 

Personal Pronouns » 

Personal pronouns stand for the name of some person or 
thing. They are I, thou, he, she, it ; with their plurals, we } 
ye or you, they. 
Personal pronouns admit of per son, number, gender, and case* 

The personal pronouns are thus declined. 

Person and Gender. Case. Singular. Plural 

C Norn. I, We, 

First person. < Pos. Mine, Ours, 

Ibj. Me J Us. 

fom, Thou, Ye or you, 

Second person. ^ Pos. Thine, Yours, 

( Obj. Thee. You. 

m, . , C Nom. He, They, 

Third person V Hi The f r ' 

Mascuhne genaer. J Qbj# ^ Them ' 

mi . j f Nom. She, Thev, 

Third person \ pos _ Rer ' Th ^ 

Feminine gender. ^ Obj. Her Them / 

rr,, . , C Nora. It, They, 

Third person, V P( , s ^ T1 , -T 

Neuter gender. ^j'. ft / tf^* 

The word self is frequently joined with personal-pronouns; 
as, himself, herself, itself 

Relative Pronouns. 

Relative pronouns are such as relate, in general, to some 
preceding word or phrase, called the Antecedent ; they are 
who, which, what, and that* 

Wliat is a kind of compound relative, including both the 

antecedent and the relative ; and is mostly equivalent to (hat 

which ; as, i' I have heard what has been alledged ;" that is, 

k6 I have heard that which has been alledged." 

* The word as, may be considered as a relative pronoun when it is 
equivalent to which or that ; as, "The same arguments are applicaole, 
as were applied to the theory of uniformity of perceptions." Here as 
may be considered synonymous with which ; referring to arguments, aod 
nominative to were applied, *,._ 



208 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

Who is applied to persons ; as, " The man who is idle 
does not improve." 

Which is applied to animals and inanimate things ; as, 
"The birds which we have taken, are beautiful." "The 
fields which we roved through, were delightful." 

That is applied to both persons and things ; as, " He that 
is honest will be rewarded." " Habits that are vicious ^ 
should be avoided." 

Who is of both C Norn. Who, 

numbers, and is ^ JPos. Whose, 

thus declined. £ Obj. Whom. 

Who, which, and what, when used, in asking questions, 
are called interrogative pronouns ; as, "Who was he?" 
" Which is the man ?" " What are you doing ? 
Adjective Pronouns. 

Adjective pronouns are of a mixed nature, having (he 
properties both of pronouns and adjectives. They are di- 
vided into four sorts; Possessive, Distributive, Demonstra- 
tive, and Indefinite. 

The Possessive adjective pronouns are those which re- 
late to property or possession. They are my, thy, his, her r 
our, your, their. 

The Distributive adjective pronouns are those which de- 
note the persons or things that make up a number, taken 
separately, and singly. They are each, every, either. 

The Demonstrative adjective pronouns are those which 
precisely point out the subjects to which they relate. Tbey 
are this, that, these, those. \ 

The Indefinite adjective pronouns are those which ex- 
press their subjects in an indefinite or general manner. 
They are some, one, any, all, other, such. 

One and other are thus declined. 

Singular. Plural. Singular. Plural. 

Norn. One, Ones, Nom. Other, Others, 

Pos. One's, Ones 5 , Pos. Other's, Others' 

Obi.. One. Ones. Obj. Other. Others. 

OF VERBS. 

A Verb is a word which expresses action or being ; as, 
" John writes ; the boys read; the city sta?ids." 

* This and these, refer to things nearest or last mentioned ; that and 
those, to things farther distant, orjirst mentioned ; as, " This house is. 
mine, that is my brother's. " " The path of virtue, and the road ot 
vice, are open before you: that leads to happiness, this to misery/ 5 
" These books are mine, those are John's/' 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 209 

Verbs are of three kinds ; active, passive, and neuter. They 
are also divided into regular, irregular, and defective. 

An active verb denotes action or energy which terminates 
on some object; as, " Cain smote Abel; Cesar conquered 
Pompey." 

A passive verb denotes action received, or endured, by 
the person or thing which is the nominative ; as, " Pompey 
teas conquered by Cesar." It is formed by adding the per- 
fect participle of an active verb, to the verb be, through all 
its changes of number, person,, mood, and tense. 

A neuter verb denotes being or existence, or it denotes 
action which is limited to the subject ; as, cc I am; he sleeps ; 
John walks." 

Regular verbs are those whose imperfect tense and per- 
fect participle end in ed ; as, 

Present, Imperfect. Perfect part. 

I love, I loved, loved, 

I favour, I favoured^ favoured. 

Irregular verbs are those whose imperfect tense and per- 
fect participle do not end in ed ; as, 

Present. Imperfect.. Perfect part. 

1 know, I knew, known. 

1 begin, I began, begun. 

Defective verbs are those which are used only in some of 
their moods and tenses ; as, 

Present. Lnpeifect.. 4 Perfect part. 

Can, Could. 

May, Might. 

Auxiliary verbs are those by the help of which other verbs 
are principally conjugated. They are, do, be, have, shall, 
will, may, can, with their variations, and must, which has no 
variation. Do, be, have, and wiM, are sometimes principal 
verbs. 

To verbs belong Number, Person, Mood, and Tense. 

Verbs have two numbers, the singular and the plural ; as, 
He runs, we run, &c. 

In each number there are three persons; as, 

Singular. Plural. 

First person I love, * We love, 

Second person Thou lovest, Ye or you love, 

Third person. He loves. They love. 

Mood or Mode is the manner of representing action or being. 

There are five moods of verbs ; the Indicative, Subjunc- 
tive, Potential, Infinitive, and Imperative. i 

Tense is the division of time. 

There are six tenses ; the present, imperfect, perfect , plu- 
perfect, first future, and second future. 
18* 



210 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

The conjugation of a verb, is the regular combination and 
arrangement of its several numbers, persons, moods, and 
. -nse$» 

Conjugation of the Verb to love. 
INDICATIVE MOOD. 
The Indicative Mood simply indicates or declares a thing, 
or asks a question ; as, " He loves ; he is loved ;" " Does 
he love ?» « Is he loved?" 

Present Tense Singular member. Plural number *\ 

denotes present time ; 1. 1 love, We love, 

as, 2. Thou lovest,[flr loves. Ye or you love, 

3. He, she, or it loveth, They love. 

Imperfect Tense Singular number. Plural number* 

denotes past time, 1. 1 loved, We loved, 

however distant } as, 2. Thou lovedst, Ye or vou loved, 

3. He loved. "■ They loved. 

Perfect Tense ' Singular number. Plural number. 

denotes past time, hut 1. I have loved, We have loved, 

has reference also to 2. Thou hast loved, Ye or vou have loved, 
the present j as, 3. He hath or has loved. They nave loved. 

Pluperfect Tense de- Singular number. Plural number. 

notes p&iit time, but as 1. 1 had loved, We had loved, 

prior to some other 2. Thou hadst loved, Ye or you had loved, 

past time specified; as, 3, He had loved. They had loved. 

First Figure Tense Singular number. Plural jiumber. 

denotes- future time ; 1. 1 shall or will love, We shall or will love, 
as, 1 2. Thou shalt or wilt Ye or you shall or will 

love, love. 

3. He shall or will love. They shall or will love. 

Second future Tense Singular number. Plural number. 

denotes,; future time, 1. I shall have loved, We shall have loved, 
but as prior to some 2. Thou shalt or wilt Ye or you shall or will 
other future time spe- have loved, [loved, have loved, [loved, 
cified ; as, 3. He shall or will have They shall or will have 

PARSING LESSON IV. 
Noun f Pronoun , and Verb* 
He loves us. 

Instrueler* Pupil. 

What part of speech is he? A pronoun. [noun. 

Why? - - - Because it is used instead of a 
What kind ? - - Personal. 
Why? - - - Because it stands for the name ;of 

some person or thing 
What persoa ? - - The third. 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 211 

Why ? ... Because it is spoken of. ; 

What number ? - - The singular. 
Why ? - - * Because it denotes but one object* 
What gender ? - - The masculine. [males. 

Why ? - The masculine gender denotes 

What case ? The nominative. [verb loves. 

Why ? Because it is the subject of the 

According to what rule ? Rule iv. (Repeat the rule J 
What part of speech is 

loves ? - - A verb. [ing 

Why ? - - - Because it expresses action or be- 

What kind ? Active. 

Why ? - - - An active verb denotes action or 

energy which terminates on 

some object. 
Is it regular or irregular ? Regular. 
Why ? « Because its imperfect tense and 

perfect participle end in ed. 
What mood ? - Indicative. [declares a thing. 

Why ? - - - Because it simply indicates of 

What tense ? ^ Present. 

Why ? Because it denotes present time. 

What person and number? Third person, singular number. 
Why? - Because its nominative case is 

third person singular. 
What does it agree with 

for its nominative ? - It agrees with he. 
According to what rule ? Rule v. (Repeat the rule.) 

Us is a personal pronoun, first person, plural number, ob- 
jective case, and governed by the verb loves , according to 
Rule vi. (Repeat the rule.) 

RULE IV. 

• The nominative case governs the verb ; as, u Thou lov- 
est ; he walks ; the birds sing. 7 

RULE V. 

A verb must agree with its nominative case in number 
and person ; as, " He writes ; the trees grow." 
RULE VI. 

Active verbs govern the objective case ; as, " Cain smote 
Abel ;» « Truth ennobles her." 

Fire burns wood. Thou deniest me. 

^Children study books. You revile them. 



212 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

They forgave hinu Paul preached the'f ospeL 

I have taught them. We shall recite the lessons. 

He has comforted me. Foxes kill people's geese. 

They had convinced us. John whips Peter's dog. 

We will pursue him. The ladies teach the children. 

They will convince us. The merchant sells the goods.. 

Newton studied astronomy. The farmer sells produce. 

, Generous persons relieve the poor, old men. 
The man's discourse caused much excitement. 
The girPs friends abuse the children's parents. ; > 

William's black horse kicked Stephen^ little dog. 

PARSING LESSON V. 

Relative, and Adjective Pronouns. 
My son who teaches you, pleases your father 

Solution of my and who. My is a possessive adjective 
prGnoun, and belongs to son, according to Rule vii. (Re* 
peat the rule.) Who is a relative pronoun, and agrees witli 
its antecedent son, in gender and number, according to Rule 
Viii.. (Repeat the rule.) and is the nominative case to 
the verb teaches, according to Rule i.v.. (Repeat the rule.) 
RULE VII. 

Every adjective pronoun belongs to some noun expressed 
ot understood ; as, u My house ; every tree; these books ^ 
any book." 

RULE VIM. 

Pronouns must agree with their antecedents, or the nouns 
they represent, in gender and number ; as,." This is the man 
whom I love." u That is the vice which I hate." 

The prisoners who broke jail, have returned. 

Each pupil who recites his lessons, shall be rewarded. 

The person whom I teach, loves his friends. 

The woman whose house they hire, owns many houses. 

Thee whom thy friends admire, we love. 

The house which he occupies, our neighbour owns. 

The books which the little boys read, the old man sells. 

Thou who makest my shoes, sellest many more. 

The seeds that he planted, produce beautiful flowers. 
The conjugation of the verb, in the other moods, is omittea 

until the explanation of the remaining parts of speech are 

given. 

OF PARTICIPLES. 

A Participle is a word derived from a verb, and partakes 
of the nature of the verb, adjective, and noun. 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 213 

There are three kinds of participles ; the present f perfect ^ 
and compound perfect. 

The present participle denotes an action continuing, or 
still going on, and ends in ing ; as ? i6 1 see a man beating a 
horse." " The child sees the hawk kilting the chickens." 

The perfect participle denotes past time, and corresponds 
with the imperfect tense of regular verbs ; as, loved, hated ; 
u I found him lodged in prison." 

The compound perfect participle is the union of two or 
more participles ; as, having loved, having been loved. 
PARSING LESSON VI. 
Participles. 
John sees Peter teaching the little girl. 

Solution of teaching and girl. Teaching is a present 
participle, relating to the noun Peter, according to Rule ix, 
{Repeat the rule**) Girl is a commoir noun, third person, 
singular number, feminine gender, objective case, and gov*- 
erned by the participle teaching, according to Rule x. {Re- 
peat the rule.) 

RULE IX. 

Participles generally relate to nouns or pronouns ; as, 
u Charles loving his parents^ obeyed them ;" " I saw him 
labouring in the field." 
i RULEX. - 

Participles, derived from active verbs, govern the objec- 
tive case ; as, " Charles loving his parents, obeyed them." 

Jesus, knowing their thoughts, rebuked them. 

Knowing he was mv^ superiour, I submitted. 

I saw the teacher instructing his pupils. 
', I saw the pupils studying their lessons. 

George sees the fox killing the man's geese. 

The dog, pursuing the track, overtook the game. 

The sun, having arisen, dispersed the clouds. 

Charles, having discovered the cheat, pursued the rogue. 

Having obtained license, he commenced preaching. 

OF ADVERBS. 

An Adverb is a word used to qualify the sense of verbs, 

participles, adjectives, and other adverbs ; as, " He fought 

bravely ;" u Having lived prudently, he became rich ;" 

u Extremely fine weather;" " He reads very correctly."* 

* An Adverb may generally be known by its answering to the ques- 
tion, How ? how much ? when ? or where ? as, M He reads correctly, " 
the answer to the question, How does he read? is, coireetly, ^ 



214 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

Some adverbs admit of comparison ; as, soon, sooner, soon- 
est ; often, oftener, oftenest. 

Adverbs ending in ly, are compared by more and most; 
as, wisely, more wisely, most wisely. 

Classification of Adverbs. 

1. Of Number ; as, Once, twice, thrice, &c. 

2* Of Order ; as, First, secondly, thirdly, fourthly, fifthly, lastly, fi- 
nally, &c. 

3. Of Place ; as, Here, there, where, elsewhere, anywhere, some- 
where, nowhere, herein, whither, thkher, upward, downward, forward, 
backward, hence, thence, whence, &c. 

4. Of Time ; as, Now, to-day, yesterday, to-morrow, before, hereto- 
fore, already, hitherto, lately, afterwards, instantly, presently, immedi- 
ately, hereafter, henceforth, by and by, not yet, long since, long ago, 
oft, often, ofttimes, oftentimes, sometimes, soon, seldom, daily, yearly, 
always, when, then, again, ever, never, &c. 

5.| Of Quantity ; as, Much, little, enough, sufficiently, abundantly^ 
how much, Ike. 

6. Of Manner or Quality ; as, Wisely, foolishly, justly, unjustly, 
quickly, slowly, badly, ably, admirably, correctly, softly, prudently, 
imprudently., ignorantly, $£c. 

7. Of Doubt ; as, Perhaps, rjeradventure, possibly, perchance, he. 

8. Of Affirmation; as, Certainly, truly, undoubtedly, verily, swrely, 
indeed, really, yea, yes, &c. 

9 Of Negation ; as, Nay, no,not,by no means,not at all,in no wise,&c» 
;10. Of Interrogation ; as, How, why, wherefore, whether, &c. 
fit. Of Conjunction ; as, Together, generally, universally, &c. 

12. Of Disjunction ; as, Asunder, off, separately, apart, &e. 

13* Of Similarity ; as, So, equally, thus, alike, &c. 

PARSING LESSON YIL 
Adverbs. 
The pupil writes very correctly. 
Solution of very and correctly. Very is an adverb, and 
qualifies correctly, according to Rule xi. (Repeat the rule.) 
Correctly is an adverb, and qualifies the verb writes, accor- 
ding to Rule xi. (Repeat the rule.) 
RULE XL 
Adverbs qualify verbs, participles, adjectives, and other 
adverbs ; as, " He writes elegantly ;» " We heard them se- 
cretly contriving evil ;" " She is very beautiful $" "He 
speaks very gracefully." 

He gave bountifully, they gave sparingly. 
Very industrious scholars study constantly. 
Behaving carelessly, boys do mischief. 
The servant drove the horses very carelessly. 
First, Peter will speak ; secondly, Stephen. 
The man went again : he went twice. 
They have seen him once, perhaps twice. 



At 


by 


over 


in 


from 


under 


of 


upon 


above 


off 


into 


below 


on 


with 


after 


to 


within 


abt>ut 


for 


without 


across 


up 


between 


down 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED* 215 

OF PREPOSITIONS. 

A Preposition is a word which serves to connect words 
with one another, and to show the relation between them ; 
as," He went from New- York to Philadelphia;" "She 
sailed with us to London . " 

A list of the principal Prepositions. 

beneath amongst 

beyond against 

be tore amidst 

behind towards 

beside except 

besides through 

betwixt throughout 

among underneath. 

PARSING LESSON VIII. 

Prepositions. 

I write with a pen. 

Solution of with and pen. With is a preposition and re- 
lates to the noun pen. Pen is a common nounj third person, 
singular number, neuter gender, objective case, and govern- 
ed by the preposition with } according to Rule xii. (Repeat 
the rule.) 

RULE XII. 

Prepositions govern the objective case ; as, " He went from 
New- York to Boston ;" " I came into the house with him." 

The army has encamped on the banks of the river. 

The pen, with which I write, makes too large a mark. 

They travelled through France, in haste, towards Italy, 

On all occasions, she behaved with propriety. 

FVom virtue to vice, the progress is gradual. 

Quarrels frequently terminate in blows. 

Virtue embalms the memory of the good. 

We in vain look for comfort in wickedness. 

Some things make for him, others against him. 

They came from Philadelphia to New-York, by water. 

' OF CONJUNCTIONS AND INTERJECTIONS, 

A Conjunction is a word that is chiefly used to connect 
sentences; joining two or more simple sentences into one 
compound one. It sometimes connects only words ; as, 
u John and William are happy, because they are good.'* 

Conjunctions are divided into two sorts ; the Copulative 
and Disjunctive. 

The copulative conjunction connects words and senten- 
ces together, and continues the sense ; as. " Ht and his sis- 
ter study f 9 " I will go if he 'will permit me.- 



216 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

The disjunctive conjunction joins words and sentences 
together, but expresses opposition of meaning in different 
degrees ; as, " He or his sister studies ;" " Virtue is amia- 
ble, but vice is odious." 

A list of the principal Conjunctions, 

Copulative. And, if, that, then, both, since, for, because, 
therefore, wherefore. 

Disjunctive. But, or, nor, as, than, lest, though, unless, 
either 5 neither, yet, notwithstanding, except. 

An Interjection is a word used to express passion or emo- 
tion ; usually that which is sudden or violent ; as, O ! oh ! 
ah I alas ! lo ! behold ! hark ! hush ! hist ! foh ! fie ! away ! 
pshaw ! pish ! really ! strange ! here I ho ! welcome ! hail ! 
PARSING LESSON IX. 
Conjunctions and Interjections. 

John or James loves me ; hut alas I Peter and PauMiate me. 

Solution. John is a proper noun, third person, singular 
number, masculine gender, and nominative case to the verb 
loves, according to Rule iv. (Repeat the rule.) Or is a dis- 
junctive conjunction. James is a proper noun, third person, 
singular number, masculine' gender, nominative case, con- 
nected to John by the conjunction or, according to Rule xiii. 
(Repeat the rule.) Loves is a regular verb active, indica- 
tive mood, present tense, third person singular, and agrees 
with its nominative case John or James, according to Rule 
xiv. (Repeat the rule.) Me is a personal pronoun, first per- 
son, singular number, objective case, and governed by the 
verb loves, according to Rule vi. (Repeat the rule.) But is 
a disjunctive conjunction. Alas is an interjection. Peter 
is a proper noun, third person, singular number, masculine 
gender, and with the connection of Paul, forms the nomina- 
tive case to the verb hate, according to Rule iv. (Repeat the 
rule.) And is a copulative conjunction. Paul is a proper 
noun, third person, singular number, masculine gender, nom- 
inative case, connected to Peter by the conjunction and, ac- 
cording to Rule xiii. (Repeat the rule.) Hate is a regular 
verb active, indicative mood, present tense, third person 
plural, and agrees with its nominative case Peter and Paul % 
according to Rule xv. (Repeat the rule.) Me is a personal 
pronoun, first person, singular number, objective case, and 
governed by the verb hate 9 according to Rule vi. (Repeat 
the rule.) 



JHE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 217 

RULE XIII. 

Conjunctions connect nouns and pronouns in the same 
case, and verbs in the same moods and tenses ; as, " They 
saw John and Peter ^ 6i I taught him and her $" " They 
read and spell" 

RULE XIV. 

When two or more nouns, or pronouns, in the singular 
number, are connected by a disjunctive conjunction, the 
verb which agrees with them must be in the singular num- 
ber ; as, " He or she writes f* " Daniel, David, or Henry, is 
at school." 

RULE XV. 

When two or more nouns, or pronouns, in the singular 
number, are connected by a copulative conjunction, the verb 
which agrees with them, must be in the plural number ; as, 
" He and she are dutiful •," " Daniel, David, and Henry, art 
at school." 

Meekness and modesty adorn the female youth. 

There is in many minds neither knowledge nor taste. 

Oh ! I have alienated my friend ; alas ! I fear for life. 

We in vain look for a path between virtue and vice. 

By diligence and frugality we arrive at competency. 

His father, mother and brother, reside at New- York. 

Guilt often casts a damp over our sprightliest hours. 

He has equal knowledge, but inferiour judgement. 

Prudence and perseverance overcome all obstacles. 

Whom ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 

You employ all your time in study and exercise. 

Study strengthens the mind, and exercise the body. 

I often see good people bestowing alms en the poor. 

Idleness and ignorance produce many vices. 

The wisest and best men sometimes commit errours. 

The boy will have completed his task before you see hinu 

The coach and horses will have arrived to-morrow. 

Mary studies better than Caroline or Elizabeth. 

Those who labour with diligence, succeed in business. 

The sun rules the day, and illumines the earth. 

The moon rules the night, and cheers the wanderer. 

She resides in the city ; but he in the country. 

Joseph forgave his brethren, because he was merciful. 

He went with his brother, but without his sister. 

When the mail returns, we shall hear from our friends. 

The man who keeps his temper, will not be rash. 

The man who lies, deceives or cheats, loses his reputation 



218 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER. 



Conjugation of the verb to love. 
SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD. 

The Subjunctive Mood expresses action or being in a 
doubtful or conditional manner, and is preceded by a con- 
junction, expressed or understood; as, " If thou learn, thou 
shalt be rewarded f " Were he learned, he would be wise." 



Present Tense 
denotes present time. 



Imperfect Tense 
denotes past time, how- 
ever distant. 



Singular number. 

1. If Hove, 

2. If thou love, 

3. If he love. 

Singular number, 

1. If I loved, 

2. If thou lovedst, 

3. If he loved. 



Perfect Tense Singular number. 

denotes past time, but 1. If 1 have loved, 
Ik-s reference also to 2. If thou hast loved, 
the present. 3. If he has loved. 

Pluperfect Tense Singular number. 

denotes past time, but as 1. If I had loved, 
prior to some omer past 2. If thou hadst loved, 
time specified. 3. If he had loved. 



Plural number. 
If we love, 
% If ye or you love, 
If they love. 

Plural number* 
If we loved, 
If ye or you loved, 
If they loved. 

Plural number. 
If we have loved, 
If ye or you have loved. 
If they have loved. 

Plural number. 
If we had loved, 
If ye or you had loved, 
If they had loved. 



r First future Tense 
denotes future time. 



Singular number. Plural number. 

1. If I shall or will love, If we shall or will love, 

2. If thou shalt or wilt If ye or you shall or will 

love, love, 

3. If he shall or will love. If they shall or will love 



Second future Tense Singular number. Plural number. 

denotes future time, 1. If I shall have loved, If we shall have loved, 
but as prior to some 2. If thou shalt or wilt If ye or you shall or will 
other future time speci- have loved, [loved. have loved, [loved, 

fied. . 3. If he shall or will have If they shall or will have 

Although the conjunction if is used in conjugating the verb in the sub- 
junctive mood, yet any other conjunction, expressing condition, doubt, 
&c. may be used with equal propriety j as, though, whether, unless, &c. 

PARSING LESSON X. 

Ezerciscs in the Subjunctive Mood. 

If Jane persist in whispering, I shall correct her. 
Unless she desist from talking, I shall admonish her. 
Except she refrain from trifling, I shall punish her. 
Though Charles neglect me, yet I respect him. 
If they love me, they will keep my commandments. 
If he acquire riches, he will make a good use of them 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER. 219 

POTENTIAL MOOD. 

Hie Potential Mood implies possibility, liberty, power, 
will, or obligation, of action or being ; as, u It may rain ; 
he may go, or stay ; I can ridej he would walk ; they should 
learn." 

The potential mood has only four tenses, viz. the Present, 
the Imperfect, the Perfect, and Pluperfect. 

PRESENT TENSE. 
Singular number. Plural number. 

1. I may, can, or must love, "VVe may, can, or must love, ~ 

2. Thou inayst, canst, or must love, Ye or you may, can, or must-iove, 

3. He may, can, or must love. ' They may, can, or must love. 

IMPERFECT TENSE. 

Singular number. Plural number, 

1. I might, could, would, or should We might, could, would, or should 

love, love, 

2. Thou mightst, couldst, wouldst, Ye or you might, could, would, or 

or shouldst love, should love, 

3. He might, could, would, or should They might, could,would,or should 

love. "love. 

PERFECT TENSE. 

Singular number. Plural number.^ 

1. I may, can, or must have loved, We may, can, or must have loved/ 

2. Thou mayst, canst, or must Ye or you may, can, or must have 

have loved, loved, • 

3. He may, can, or must have loved. They may, can, or must have loved, 

PLUPERFECT TENSE. 

Singular number. Plural number. 

1. I might, could, would, or should We might, could, would, or should 

haye loved, have loved, 

2. Thou mightst, couldst, wouldst, Ye or you might, could, would, or 

or shouldst have loved, should have loved, 

3. He might, could, would, or should They might, could, would, or 

have loved. - should have loved. 

The Potential mood becomes the Subjunctive, by means of the con- 
junctions if, though, unless, &c. being prefixed to its tenses, without any 
variations from the potential inflections ; as, u If I could deceive him, I 
should abhor it." 

PARSING LESSON XI. 

Exercises in the Potential Mood. 

We must be temperate, if we would enjoy health. 

He may rise early, for he must travel many miles. 

We would not serve him then, but we will hereafter/ 

He would improve, if he applied himself to study. 

I told him that he might go, but he would not. 

He might have acquired wealth, if he had desired it. 

The man should have returned when he found them. 

He can acquire no virtue, unless he make some sacrifices* 

Thou shouldst not have boasted in his presence. 

They could have performed the business,but they would np*^ 



220 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTOR. 

INFINITIVE MOOD. 

The Infinitive Mood expresses action or being in a gener- 
al and unlimited manner ; having no nominative case, con- 
sequently, neither number nor person ; as, " To act, to speak, 
to run y to be loved."* 

The infinitive mood has only two tenses, the Present, and 
Perfect. 

PRESENT TENSE. PERFECT TENSE. 

To love. To have loved. 

IMPERATIVE MOOD. 

The Imperative Mood is used for commanding, exhorting, 
entreating, or permitting ; as, " Depart thou ; mind ye ; 
Jet us stay ; go in peace." 

The imperative mood has only one tense, the Present. 

^PRESENT TENSE. 

Singular number. Plural number. 

2. Love, Love thou, or do thou 2. Love, Love ye or you, or do ye 

love. • or you love. 

PARTICIPLES. 

PRESENT, loving. 

PERFECT, loved. 

compound perfect, having* loved.. 

PARSING LESSON XII. 

Exercises in the Infinitive and Imperative Moods, 

Strive to learn. 

Solution. Strive is an irregular verb neuter, imperative 
mood, present tense, seccmd person singular, and agrees with 
its nominative thou, understood, according to Rule v? (Re* 
peat the rule.) To learn is a regular verb active, infinitive 
mood, present tense, and governed by the verb strive, accor- 
ding to Rule xvi. (Repeat the rule.) 

RULE XVI. 

A verb in the infinitive mood, may be governed by a verb, 
noun, adjective, or participle ; as, a He loves to learn his 
book ;" " They have a desire to improve ;" " He is eager 
to learn ;" " Endeavouring to persuade." 

• The verbs which follow bid, dare, feel, hear, let, make, need, see^Sfe. 
are used in the infinitive mood without having the sign to prefixed to 
them ; as, " He bids me come ; 1 dare not speak; we feel the earth 
tremble ; we hear her sing ; let me set the man ; I make him study ; he 
need not be afraid ; I see him run." In these examples, it would b« 
inelegant to express the to, and say, I heard her to sing, <g*c* 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 221 

Study diligently, if you wish to improve. 

A good man is unwilling to give pain to man or beast. 

Leave me, take off his chains and use him well. 

We dare not leave our studies without permission. 

We need not urge Charles to do good, he loves to do it. 

No more ! unbind that trembling wretch ; let him depart. 

No threatenings could make him violate the truth. 

Behave well, if thou lovest virtue or a good name. 

Strive to imitate the virtues which thou seest in others. 

Wealthy people have many temptations to resist. 

Pity the sorrows and sufferings of the poor and needy. 

He has a friend to assist him in all his troubles. 

We are anxious to improve all our time in study. 

It gives great pleasure to see youth engaged in learning. 

I dare not proceed so hastily, lest I should give offence. 

You ought not to walk too hastily. 

Will you hear me apply the rules of syntax? 

You need not despair, you will make a good scholar. 

Conjugation of the Verb to be. 
INDICATIVE MOOD. 

PRESENT TENSE. 

Present Tense Singular number. Plural number* 

denotes present time. 1. I am, We are, 

2. Thou art, Ye or you are P 

3. He, she or it is. They are. 

IMPERFECT TENSE. 

Imperfect Tense Singular number. Plural number* 

denotes past time ; how- 1. I was. We were, 

ever distant. 2. Thou wast, Ye or you were, 

o. He was. They were. 

PERFECT TENSE. 
Perfect Tense Singular number. Plural number 

denotes past time, but 1. I have been, We have been, 

has reference also to the 2. Thou hast been, Ye or you have been, 

present. 3. He hath or has been. They have been. 

PLUPERFECT TENSE. 
Pluperfect Tense Singular number. Plural number. 

denotes past time, but 1. I had been, We had been, 

as prior to some other 2. Thou hadst been, Ye or you had been, 
past time specified. 3. He had been. They had been. 

FIRST FUTURE TENSE. 
First future Tense Singular number. Plural number. 

denotes future time. 1. I shall or will be, We shall or will be, 

2. Thou shalt or wilt be, Ye or you shall or will be ? 

3. He shall or will be. They shall or will be> 

19* 



222 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

SECOND FUTURE TENSE. 

Second future Tense Singular number. Plural number. 

denotes future time, 1. I shall have been, We shall have been, 
but as prior to some 2. Thou shalt or wilt Ye or you shall or will 
other future time spe- have been, have been, 

cified. 3. He shall or will have They shall or lyill have 

been. been. 

SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD. 

PRESENT TENSE. 

Singular number. Plural number. 

1. If I be, „ If we be, 

2. If thou be, If ye or you be, 

3. If he be. If they be. 

Or thus . 

Singular number. Plural number. 

1. If I am, If we are. 

2. If thou art, If ye or you are, 

3. If he is. If they are. 

IMPERFECT TENSE. 

Singular number. Plural number. 

1 . If I were, If we were, 

2. If thou wert, • If ye or you were, 

3. If he were. If they were. 

Or thus : 

Singular number. Plural number. 

1 ."If I was, If we were, 

2. If thou wast, If ye or you were, 

3. If he was. If they were. 

The remaining tenses of this mood, are similar to the 
correspondent tenses of the Indicative Mood. 

POTENTIAL MOOD. 

PRESENT TENSE. 

Singular number. , Plural number. 

1. 1 may, can, or must be, We may, can, or must be, 

2. Thou mayst, c. or m. be, Ye or you may, c. or m. be, 

3. He may, c. or m. be. They may, c. or m. be. 

IMPERFECT TENSE. 

Singular number. [be, Plural number. [be, 

1. I might, could, would, or should We might, could, would, or should 

2. Thou mightst, c. w. or s. be, Ye or you might, c. w. or s. be, 

3. He might, c.w. or should be. They might c. w. or s. be. 

PERFECT TENSE. 

Singular number. Plural number. 

1. I may, can, or must have been, We may, can, or must have been, 

2. Thou mayst, c. or m. have been, Ye or you m. c. or m. have been, 

3. He may, c. or m. have been. ] They m. c. or must have been. 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 223 

PLUPERFECT TENSE. 

Singular number. Plural number. 

1. I might, could, would, or should We might, could, would, 'or should 

have been, nav e been, 

2. Thou mightst,c.w. or shave been Ye or you m. c. w. or s. have been, 

3. He might, c. w. or s. have been. They ra. c. w. or s. have been. 

INFINITIVE MOOD. 

PRESENT TENSE. PERFECT TENSE. 

To be. To have been. 

IMPERATIVE MOOD. 
PRESENT TENSE 

* Singular number.? Plural number, __.' 

2. Be, be thou, or do/ 2. Be, be ye or you, or do y« 

thou be./ or you be. 

PARTICIPLES. 

Present, Being. 

Perfect, Been. 

Compound perfect, Having been. 

PARSING LESSON XIII. 

The verb to be. 
Charity is the first law of humanity. 
Solution of law, Lmv is a common noun, third person^ 
singular number, neuter gender, and nominative case after 
the verb is, according to Rule xvii. (Repeat the rule.) 

s RULE XVII. 

The verb to be 7 through all its variations, and passive verbs 
which signify naming, have the same case after, as before 
them ; as, " It is J, be not afraid ;" u Whom do you fancy 
him to be ;" " The child was named Thomas ;" " Homer 
is styled the prince of poets." 

Idleness is the mother of many vices. 

Hope is the last thing that dies in man. 

He is not the person who it seemed he was. • 

It might have been he, but there is no proof of it. 

Food, clothing, and credit, are the rewards of industry 

The path of virtue, is the path of peace. 

Our duty to benefactors, is love and gratitude. 

Meekness and modesty are ornaments of youth. 

Peace and happiness are the rewards of virtue. 

Regret and shame are the attendants of vice. 

I perceive that it is folly to grieve ^at trifles. 

Youth is the season for improvement in knowledge 



224 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

Conjugation of the Passive Verb to be loved. 

A passive verb is formed by adding a perfect participle 
to the verb be, through all its variations, in the following 
manner. 

INDICATIVE MOOD. 

PRESENT TENSE. 

Singular number. Plural number. 

1 . I am loved, We are loved, 

2. Thou art loved, Ye or you are loved, 

3. He is loved. They are loved. 

IMPERFECT TENSE. 

Singular number. Plural number. 

1. I was loved, We were loved, 

2. Thou wast loved, Ye or you were loved, 

3. He was loved. They were loved. 

PERFECT TENSE. 

Singular number. Plural number. 

1. I have been loved, We have been loved, 

2. Thou hast been loved, Ye or you have been loved,. 

3. He has been loved. They have been loved. 

PLUPERFECT TENSE. 

Singular number. Plural number. 

1. I had been loved, We had been loved, 

2. Thou hadst been loved, Ye or you had been loved, 

3. He had been loved. They had been loved. . 

FIRST FUTURE TENSE. 

Singular number. Plural number. 

1. I shall or will be loved, We shall or will be loved, 

2. Thou shalt or wilt be loved, Ye or you shall or will be loved, 

3. He shall or will be loved. They shall or will be loved. 

SECOND FUTURE TENSE. 
Singular number. Plural number. 

1. I shall have been loved, [loved, We shall have been loved, [loved, 
2 » Thou shalt or wilt have been Ye or you shall or will have been 
3. He shall or will have been loved. They shall or will have been loved. 

SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD; 

PRESENT TENSE. 

Singular number. Plural number. 

1. If I be loved, If we be loved, 

2. If thou be lovea, If ye or you be loved, 

3. If he be loved. '.-,., If they be loved. 

Or thus : 

Singular number. Plural number. 

1 . If I am loved, If we are loved, 

2. If thou art loved, If ye or you are lovet , 

3. If he is loved. ' If they are loved. t ~ 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTEPt 225 

IMPERFECT TENSE. 
Singular number. Plural number, 

1. If* I were loved, If we were loved, 

% If thou wert loved, If ye or you were loved 

3. If he were loved. ' If they were loved. 

Or thus : «* 

Singular number. Plural number, 

1. If I was loved, If we were loved, 

2. If thou wast loved, . If ye or you were lovei 

3. If he was loved. _. If they were loved. 

The remaining tenses of this mood ? are similar to the cor- 
respondent tenses of the Indicative Mood. 

POTENTIAL MOOD. 

•PRESENT TENSE. 
Singular number, Plu?*al number, 

1-1, may, can, or must be loved, We may, c. or m. be loved, 

2. Thou may st, c. or m. be loved, Ye or you m. c. or m. be l©ve 

3. He may, c. or m. be loved. They m. c. or m. be loved. 

IMPERFECT TENSE. 

^singular number. Plural number. 

1. 1 might, could, would, or should We might, could,' would, or snould 
be loved, be }oved, 

2. Thou mightst, c. w. or s. be loved, Ye or you m. c. w. or s. be loved, 

3. He might, c w. or s. be loved. They m. c. w. or s. be loved. 

PERFECT TENSE. 

Singular number. [loved, Plural number, 

1. I may, can, or must have been We may, c. or m. have been loved, 

2. Thou mayst, c. or m. have been Ye or you may, c. or m. have been 

loved, loved, 

3. He may,c. or m. have been loved. They may, c. or m. have been loved. 

PLUPERFECT TENSE. 
mgu»ar number. Plural number. 

1. 1 might, could, would, or should We might, could, would, or should 
have been loved, have been loved, 

2. Thou mightst, c w. or s. have Ye or you m. c. w. or s. have been 

been loved, [loved. loved, 

3. He might, c. w. or s. have been They m. c. w. or s. have been loved. 

INFINITIVE MOOD. 

PRESENT TENSE. PERFECT TENSE. 

To be loved. To have been loved. 

IMPERATIVE MOOD. 

PRESENT TENSE. 

Singular number. Plural number. 

-.. Be /oved. be thou loved, or do Be loved, be ye or you loved, or da 
thou be loved. ye or you be loved. 

PARTICIPLES., 

resekt, Being loved. 

perfect, j Loved. 

compound perfect, [Having been lovei 



226 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 



PARSING LESSON XIV. 
Passive Verbs. 
The master teaches the neighbour's little children. 
• The neighbour's little children are taught by the master. 
The carpenter built those elegant houses. 
Those elegant houses were built by the carpenter. 
The industrious farmer cultivates his farm well. 
The farm is well cultivated by the industrious farmer. 
He should have been carried, had I known his situation. 
Being ridiculed and despised, he became melancholy. 
Having been ridiculed, he left the company. 
Ridiculed, despised, and insulted, he became discouraged. 
If he has been seen, he has not been caught. 
If I were beaten as badly as he, I should complain. 
You are esteemed because you are honest. [formed. 

Mentally and bodily, we are curiously and wonderfully 
The person will have been executed when the pardon 

arrives. 
He is esteemed, both by his parents and brothers. 
A plain understanding, is often joined with great worth. 

A CATALOGUE OF IRREGULAR VERBS. 

following list, the verbs which are conjugated reg- 
well as irregularty, are marked with an it. 

Imperfect. Perfect part. 



In the 
ularly as 

; Present 
tense. 
Abide 
Am 
Arise 
Awake 
Bear 

Beat 

Begin 
Bend 
Bereave 
Beseech 

Bid 

Bind 

Bite 

Bleed 

Blow 

Break 

Breed 

Bring 

Build 

Burst 

Buy 



Imperfect 
tense. 
abode 
was 
arose 
awoke n 
bore 

beat- 

began 

bent 

bereft r. 

besought 

bid, or 

bade [ 

bpund 

bit I 

bled 

blew 

broke 

bred 

brought 

built 

burst 

bought 



Perfect 

participle. 

abode 

been 

arisen 

awaked 

borne 

beat, or \ 

beaten 3 

begun 

bent 

bereft R. 

besought 

bid, or ) 

bidden ) 

bound 

bitten, bit 

bled 

blown 

broken 

bred 

brought 

built 

burst 

bought 



Present* 

Cast 

Catch 

Chide 

Choose 
Cleave, 
to split 
Cling 
Clothe 
Come 
Cost 
Crow 
Creep 
Cut 
Dare* 
Deal 
Dig 
Do 
Draw 
Drive 
Drink 
Dwell 
Eat 
Fall 



cast 
caught r. 

chid 

chose 

clove, or 

cleft, 

clung 

clothed 

cam 

cost 

crew b. 

crept 

cut 

durst 

dealt r. 

dug R. 

did 

drew 

drove 

drank 

dwelt r. 

eat, or ate 

fell 



cast 

caught r. 

chid, or 

chidden 

chosen 

cleft, or> 

cloven > 

clung 

clad r. 

come 

cost 

crowed 

crept 

cut 

dared 

dealt r. 

dug r. 

done 

drawn 

driven 

drunk 

dwelt 

eaten 

fallen 



* Dare, to venture. Dare, to challenge, R 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTER. 



Imperfect^. ^ r f- I' arL \ 



Forsake 
Freeze 
Get 
Gild 
Gird 
Give 
Go 

Grave 
Grind 
Grow 
Have 
Hang 
Hear 
Hew 
Hide 
Hit 
Hold 
Hurt 
Keep 
Knit 
Know 
Lade 
Lay 
Lead 
Leave 
Lend 
Let 
Lie*. 
Load 
Lose 
Make 
Meet 
Mow 
Pay. 
Put • 
Read 
Hend' 
Rid 
Ring 
Bise 
Rive 
Run 
Saw 
Say 
See 
»eek 
Sell 
Send 
get 
*JLu, 



fed 

felt 

fought 

found 

fied 

flung 

flew 

forgot 

forsook 

froze 

got 

gilt r. 

girtR. 

gave 

went 

graved 

ground 

grew 

had 

hung R. 

heard 

hewed 

hid ' 

hit 

held 

hurt 

kept 

knitR.- 

knew 

laded 

laid 

led 

left 

lent 

let 

lay 

loaded 

lost 

made 

met 

mowed 

paid 
put\ 
read 
rent 
rid 



fed 

felt 

fought 

found 

fled 

flung 

flown 

forgotten ) 

forgot J 

forsaken 

frozen 

got 

gilt r. 

girt r. 

given 

gone 

graven r 

ground 

grown 

had 

hung R. 

heard 

hewn r. 

hidden, hid 

hit 

held 

hurt 

kept 

knit r. 

known 

laden 

laid 

led 

left 

lent 

let 

lain 

laden R. 

lost 

made 

met 

mown R 



put 
read 
rent 
rid- 



rung> rang rung 



rose 

rived 

ran 

sawed 

said 

saw 

sought 

sold 

sent 

set 
to lie down 



risen 

riven' 

run 

sawna. 

said 

seen, 

sought 

sold 

sent 

set 



Present, 

Shake 

Shape 

Shave 

Shear 

Shed 

Shine 

Show 

Shoe 

Shoot 

Shrink 

I Shred 

Shut 

Sing 

Sink 

Sit 

Slay 

Sleep 

Slide 

Sling 

Slink 

Slit I 

Smite 

Sow 

Speak 

Speed 

Spend 

Spill 

Spin 

Spit 

Split 

Spread 

Spring 

Stand 
Steal 
Stick 
Sting 
Stink 

Stride 

Strike 
String 
Strive 
Swear 
Sweat 
Swell 

Swim 

Swing 

Take 

Teach 

Tear 

Tell 

Think 

Thrive 

Throw 

I Thrust 
Tread 
Wax 



Imperfect 
shook 
shaped 
shaved 
sheared 
shed 
shone R. 
showed 
shod 
shot 
shrunk 
shred mii 
shut 
sung, 
sunk 
sat 
slew 
slept 
slid 
slung 
slunk 
slit R. 
smote 
sowed 
spoke 
sped 
spent 
spilt K. 
spun 
spit 
split 
spread 
sprung } 
sprang £ 
stood 
» stole 
stuck 
stung 
stunk 
strid, or - 
strode 
struck 
strung 
strove 
swore 
sweat R. 
swelled 
swum 
swam 
swung 
took 
taught 
tore 
told 
thought 
throve R 
threw 
thrust 
trod 
waxed 



227 

Perf part. 

shaken 

shapen R. 

shaven r. 

shorn R. 

shpd 

shone R. 

shown 

shod 

shot 

shrunk 

shred 

shut 



sang sung 
sank sunk 



sat 

slain 

slept 

slidden 

slung 

slunk 

slit R. 

smitten 

sown r 

spoken 

sped 

spent 

spilt R,^ 

spun 

spit 

split 

spread 

sprung 

stood 
stolen 
stuck 
stung 
stur. » 
strid, or > 
stridden * 
struck 
strung 
striven 
sworn 
sweat r* 
swollen R* 



swung 

taken 

taught 

torn 

told 

thought 

thriven 

thrown 

thrust 

trodden 

vaxta fc. 



228 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTOR. 



Present. 

Wear 

Weave 

Weep 

Win 



Imperfect, 


PerJ.'p 


Present, 


wore 


worn 


Wind 


Wove 


wovei 


Work 


wept 


wept 


Wring 


won 


won 


Write 



Imperfect Per/ parH y 
wound wound 
wrought b. wrought r. 
wrung wrung 
wrote written 



? Defective verbs are those which are used only in some of 
-he moods and tenses, and have no participles. 
The principal of them are the following. 

Present, Imperfect. Perfect part, wanting* 

May, might. — 

Can, could. 

Will, would. 

Shall, should. ■ 

Must, must. _ 

Ought, ought. « 

— quoth. 

All these are used as auxiliaries except ought 'and quoth : these two 
are never used as such. Ought is the same in both tenses. Its tense 
may be determined by the following infinitive. When the following in- 
finitive is in the present tense, ought is in the present tense ; as, " He 
ought to go ;" and when followed by the infinitive perfect, ought is in 
the imperfect tense ; as, " He ought to have gone." Quoth is now obso- 
lete, except in poetry and burlesque. 

PARSING LESSON XV. 

Nouns in apposition, and in the nominative case independent* 
George, James Monroe the president, is a wise man. 
Solution cf George, James Monroe, and president, George 
is a proper noun, second person, singular number, mascu- 
line gender, and in the nominative case independent, ac- 
cording to Rule xviii. (Repeat the rule,) James Monroe 
is a proper noun, third person, singular number, masculine 
gender, and nominative case to the verb is, according to 
Rule iv. (Repeat the rule,) President is a common noun, 
third person, singular number, masculine gender, nomina- 
tive case, and put in apposition* with the noun James Mon* 
roe ; according to Rule xix. (Repeat the rule,) 

RULE XVIII. 

When a direct address is made, the noun or pronoun is 
in the nominative case independent ;f as, " O king, live for- 
ever ;" " O house of Israel ;" " Children^ obey your pa- 
rents }•■** " O thou man of God." 

* By apposition is understood, the addition of another word or name 
for the same person or thing, in order more fully to define and explain 
the meaning or sense of it. 

t What is meant by its being independent, is, that it is independent of 
any verb. It is independent only,^vhen it has novt-Tb to agree with it 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 229 

RULE XIX. 

Two or more nouns signifying the same thing, are put, by 
apposition, in the same case ; as, u Paul the Apostle ;" 
" Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel." 

Girls, you understand this rule very well. 

Boys, I love you for your good conduct. 

Newton the philosopher, was a wise man. 

Washington the general, commanded the army. 

Christ the Saviour, was crucified on Calvary. 

Father^ forgive them, they know not what they do. 

It must be so, Plato, thou reasonest well. [rents. 

Parents, instruct your children : Children, obey your pa- 
Richard the instructer, teaches his neighbour's children. 

Clinton the governour of the state of New- York, is at 
Albany. 

James Monroe, president of the United States, is at Wash- 
ington. , 

The nominative case is sometimes composed of the infinU 
live mood or part of a sentence. ^ 

PARSING LESSON XVI. 

To see is desirable. To see the sun is pleasant. 

Solution of to see, and to see the sun. To see is a verb 
in the infinitive mood, and the nominative case to the verb is 3 
according to Rule xx. (Repeat the rule.) To see the sun is 
part of a sentence, which is the nominative case to the 
verb is, according to Rule xx. (Repeat the ride.) 

RULE XX. 

The infinitive mood, or part of asentence, is sometimes 
put as the nominative case to the verb; as, " To swear is 
wicked ;" " That any thing can exist, without existing in 
space, is to my mind incomprehensible.^ 

To err is human : to forgive divine. 

To swear is wicked : to steal criminal. 

To live is desirable : to die dreadful. 

To excel others in learning, is commendable. 

To die is the inevitable lot of man. 

To live a life of virtue, is commendable. 

To sleep the sleep of death, is the lot of man* 

To love our Maker, is our reasonable duty. 

That virtue will be rewarded, and vice pmw hod, is a doc- 
trine plainly taught in the bible. 
20 



230 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

PARSING LESSON XVII. 

Nominative case absolute. 

The general being slain, the army was routed. 

Solution. The general being slain, being independent of 
Jie rest of the sentence, is the nominative case absolute, ac- 
cording to Rule xxi. (Repeat the rule.) 

RULE XXI. 

A noun or pronoun, joined with a participle, independent 
of a verb, forms the nominative case absolute ;' as, " The 
lecture being finished , the assembly withdrew ;? a Shame 
being lost, all virtue is lost." 

The rain having ceased, the men pursued their journey. 
The sun being risen, the weather became fine. 
She having arrived, we retired to the country. 
They having departed, we proceeded towards the city. v 
Me being dismissed, they returned to the village. 
The assembly being composed, he resumed his oration. 
They being friendly, we accomplished our object. 
The parliament having justified the king's conduct, the 
mob dispersed. 

PROMISCUOUS EXERCISES IN PARSING. 
PARSING LESSON XVIII. 

Hope, the balm of life, sooths the soul. 

Beware of one who has been your enemy. 

He cannot go wrong whom virtue guides. 

We should be generous but not profligate. 

We should prefer our duty to our pleasure. 

Keep yourself from passion and peevishness. 

They who seek wisdom, will certainly find her. 

Yielding to immoral pleasure, corrupts the heart. 

We should not practice what we blame in others. 

If our desires be moderate, our wants will be few. 

Indolence frustrates every design of our existence. 

To have good and kind parents, is a great blessing. 

Guilt often casts a damp over our sprightliest hours. 

Bad as the world is, respect is always paid to virtue. 

Young people should reverence their parents at home, 
strangers when abroad, and themselves when alone. 

Learning is die delight of youth, the comfort of old age, 
and the only sure guide to honour and preferment. 

Those are the best instructers, that teach in their lives, 
and prove their words by their actions. 



THE AMERICAN IN STRICTER/ 231 

They that speak without care, often remember their own 
words with sorrow. 

Anger may glance into the breast of a wise man, but it 
rests only in the bosom of fools. 

Interest speaks all sorts of languages, and acts all manner 
of parts ; virtues are lost in interest, as rivers in seas. 

Wisdom leads us to speak and act what is most proper : 
prudence prevents our speaking or acting improperly. 

Virtue, corrupted with vain glory, turns to pride ; pride 
poisoned with malice, becomes envy. 

Join, therefore, humility with your virtue, and pride shall 
have no footing, nor envy find an entrance. 

A good word is an easy obligation, but not to speak ill, 
requires only our silence, which costs us nothing. 

A good conscience seats the mind on a rich throne of 
lasting quietness ; but horrour waits upon a guilty soul. 

Passion is a sort of fever in the mind, which always leave* 
us weaker than it found us. 

The expectation of future happiness, is the best relief of 
anxious thoughts, the most perfect cure of melancholy, the 
guide of life, and a comfort in death. 

Diligence is a fair fortune, and industry a good estate : idle- 
ness wastes a man as insensibly, as industry improves him. 

Diligence, the handmaid of providence, is parent of inteU 
ligence, and the noble dispenser of excellence ; all arts and 
sciences are at her command, she crowns her sons and 1 */- 
ers with riches and honour. 

The violation of truth, is so infamous a crime, that it oug&t 
to be avoided by every one. 

Lying is one of the most scandalous sins that can be com- 
mitted between man and man ; a crime of a deep die, and 
of an extensive nature, leading into innumerable sins ; for 
lying is practised to deceive, injure, betray, rob, and destroy. 

The luxurious live to eat and drink ; but the wise and 
temperate eat and drink to live. 

Wisdom is better without an inheritance, than an inheri- 
tance without wisdom. 

A great fortune in the hands of a fool, is a great misfor- 
tune. The more riches he has, the greater fool he is. 

True friendship is like sound health, the value of it is 
seldom known until it is lost. 

None are so fond of secrets, as those who do not mean 
to keep them ; such persons covet secrets, as a spendthrift 
covets money, for the purpose of circulation. 



232 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

PARSING LESSON XIX. 

A fern examples in which the same word differently situa* 
ted or applied, constitutes several of the parts of speech. 
Damp air is injurious to health. 
Guilt sheds a damp upon our sprightliest hours. 
Let no disappointment damp your enterprise. 
Every being loves its like. 
The gospel makes like promises to all. 
I like to see every human being happy. 
You should acquit yourselves like men. 
Those that would excel, must be attentive. 
I wish that that idea might be forcibly impressed. 
I wish that he would lend me that book that you sold him, 
I will submit,. /br submission brings peace. 
It is for our health to be temperate. 
We all hope for happiness hereafter. 
Hope is the last thing that dies in man. 
After a calm, we may expect a storm. 
It is easier to prevent passion than to calm it. 
A calm evening often succeeds a stormy day. 
Still waters are commonly the deepest. 
We should endeavour to still the angry passions. 
They are still afraid, though out of all danger. 
He provided money for his journey. 
I will go, provided he will accompany me. 
It is much more blessed to give, than to receive. 
Much money has been expended to little purpose. 
Where much is given, much will be required. 
The fair was numerously attended. 
His character is fair and honourable. 
The hail was very destructive. 
We hail you as friends and brothers. 
He has served them with his utmost ability. 
When we do our utmost, no more is required. 
Little things appear great to little minds. 
Little do the gay think of the misery around them. 
The scholars are employed in a very useful study. 
The industrious scholars study grammar. 
To-morrow may be better weather than to-day* 
1 read to-day, but I shall write to-morrow. 
Mind what is dictated by infinite wisdom. 
Cultivate your mind, it will render old age happy. 



RECAPITULATION 

OF THE 

SIUX&SS OF BYWTA&. 

Exercises in false Grammar annexed, adapted to the dif- 
ferent rules of Syntax; to be corrected and parsed by the learner, 

RULE I * 
Articles belong to nouns which they limit or define ; as, 
'"JL. book ; an apple ; the house ; the stars." 

JIULE II, 
A noun or pronoun in the possessive case, is governed by 
Ihe noun it possesses ; as, " John's book ;" " Perry's victo- 
ry ;" " Every tree is known by its fruit." 

Exercises in false syntax. 
Moses rod was turned into a serpent. 
If ye suffer for righteousness's sake, happy are ye. 
Nevertheless, Asa his heart was perfect with the Lord. 
Thy fathers offence will not condemn thee. 
The girls books were kept in better order than the boys. 
Wisdoms precepts are the good boys greatest delight. 
A mans manner's frequently influsnce his fortune. 

RULE III, 

Adjectives belong to the nouns or pronouns which they 
qualify ; as, " A wise man ; a great liouse ; he is good 

RULE IV. 
The nominative case governs the verb ; as, " Thou lov- 
est ; he walks ; birds sing." 

. Exercises in false syntax. 

He that thinks twice before he speak once, will speak 
twice the better /or it. 

Is thou well ? Has thou been to town to-day 

She that art virtuous deserves esteem. 

The girls was here yesterday, but are absent to-day. 

There is many occasions in life, in which silence is a mark 
of true wisdom, 

* There are no corrections o be made under the I. III. VII. IX. XVI 
and XVIII. Rules. 



234 THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTOR. 

RULE Vf 
A verb must agree with its nominative case in numbw 
and person ; as, " He writes ; the trees grow." 

Exercises in false syntax. 

Thou should be more diligent in attending to thy studies 

Fifty pounds of wheat contains forty pounds of flour. 

Disappointments sinks the heart of man ; but the renew- 
al of hope give consolation. 

The mechanism of clocks and watches were totally un- 
known a few centuries ago. 

What avails tbe best sentiments, if people do not live 
suitably to them ? 

RULE VI. 

Active verbs govern the objective case ; as, " Cain smote 
Abel ;" " Truth ennobles herP 

Exercises in false syntax. 

He that is idle and mischievous reprove sharply. 

The master loves thou, because thou art diligent. 

The man who he raised from obscurity, is dead. 

Whatever others do, let thou and I perform our duty. 

They who opulence has made proud, and who luxury has 
corrupted, cannot relish the simple pleasures of nature. 

Who have I reason to love so much as this friend of my 
youth. 

RULE VII. 

Every adjective pronoun belongs to some noun expressed 
or understood ; as^ u My house ; every tree ; these books ; 
any book." 

RULE VIII. 

Pronouns must agree with their antecedents, or the nouns 
they represent, in gender and number ; as, " This is the 
man whom I love." " That is the vice which I hate." 
Exercises in false syntax. 

They which seek wisdom will certainly find her. 

The prisoners which broke jail, have returned. 

The exercise of reason appears as little in the sportsmen, 
as in the beasts whom they sometimes hunt, and by whom 
they are sometimes hunted. 

RULE IX. 

Participles generally relate to nouns or pronouns ; as, 
u Charles loving his parent^ obeyed them ;" "I saw him 
labouring in the field," 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED <j^i 

RULE X. 

Participles, derived from active verbs, govern the objec 
tive case ;. as, " Charles loving his parents, obeyed them." 

Exercises m false syntax. 

Esteeming theirselves wise, they became fools. 

Suspecting not only we, but they also, he was studious tc 
avoid all intercourse. 

I could not avoid considering, in some degree, they as 
enemies to me, and thou as a suspicious friend. 

RULE XL 

Adverbs qualify verbs, participles, adjectives, and othe. 
adverbs ; as, " He writes elegantly ;" " We heard them se 
cretly contriving evil ;" # She is very beautiful ;" u He 
speaks very graceftilly." 

Exercises in false syntax. 

He acted agreeable to his promise. 

He conducted himself very unsuitable to his profession. 

She writes very neat, and spells accurate. 

Very industrious scholars study constant. 

She was exceeding careful not to give offence. 

He gave bountiful, but they gave sparing. 

He was prodigal, and his property is now near exhausted* 

RULE XII. 

Prepositions govern the objective case ; as, iC He went 
from New-York to Boston ; " I came into the house with 
him, 

Exercises in false syntax. 

From he that is needy and afflicted, turn not away. 

I hope it is not I who they are displeased with. 

Does that boy know who he speaks to ? 

Who does he offer such language to ? 

From the character of those persons who you associate 
with, your own will be established. 

Associate not thyself with those who none can speak 
well of. v 

What concord can subsist bet ween those who commit 
crimes, and they who abhor them ? 



236 THE AMERICAN XNSTIiUCTER. 

RULE XIII. 

Conjunctions connect nouns and pronouns in the same 
case, and verbs in the same moods and tenses ; as, "They 
saw John and Peter ;" " I taught him and her ^ " They 
read and spell." 

Exercises in false syntax. 

My brother and him are tolerable grammarians. 

She and him are very unhappily connected. 

He invited my brother and I to see his garden. 

She is more fond of reading than him. 

I esteem him, and her, and. they. 

Peter and me will go to church to-morrow. 

George and him are very good writers. 

RULE XIV. 

When two or more nouns, or pronouns, in the singuL r 
number, are connected by a disjunctive conjunction, the verb 
which agrees with them, must «be in the singular number ; 
as, " He or she writes f r " Daniel, David, or Henry is at 
school." 

Exercises in false syntax. 

Ignorance or negligence have caused this mistake. 
Knowledge or virtue are preferable to riches. 
His father, mother, or brother, reside at New- York. 
Neither prosperity nor adversity have improved them. 
There are many faults in spelling, which neither analog} 
nor pronunciation justify. 

' Mart's happiness, or misery, are in a great measure, put 
into iris own hands. 

RULE XV 

When two or more nouns, or pronouns, in the singular 
number, are connected by a copulative conjunction, the verb 
which agrees with them, must be in the plural number ; as, 
" He and she are dutiful ;" " Daniel, David, and Henry 
are at school. 

Exercises in false syntax. 

Idleness and ignorance is the parent of many vices. 
Sobriety and humility leads to honour. 
Patience and diligence, like faith, removes mountains. 
Coffee and sugar is imported from the West Indies. 



THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 237 

In unity consists the welfare and security of every society. 

The inquisitive and curious is generally talkative. 

Religion and knowledge excels wealth and grandeur. 

His politeness and good disposition was entirety changed. 

Humility and love, whatever obscurities may involve re- 
ligious tenets, constitutes the essence of true religion. 

What signifies the counsel and care of preceptors, whea 
youth think they have no need of assistance ? 

RULE XVI. 

A verb in the infinitive mood, may be governed by a verb, 
noun, adjective, or participle ; as, " He loves to learn his 
book ;" " They have a desire to improve^ " He is eager to 
learn ;" " Endeavouring to persuade." 

RULE XVII. 

The verb to be, through all its variations, and passive verbs 
which .signify naming, have the same case after, as before 
them : as, "It is i, be not afraid ;" " Whom do you fancy 
him to be ; •' " The child was named Thomas ;" " Homer is 
styled the prince of poets." 

Exercises in false syntax, 

I believe it to be they who raised the report. 

It was not me who made the noise. 

Whom do men say that I am ? 

I would act the same part, if I were him or in his situation* 

Thou art him who sold the books. 

He is not the person whom he appeared to be. 

Let him be who he may, I am not afraid of him. 

It might have been him, but there is no proof of it. 

He is not the person whom it seemed he was. " 

If it were not him, who do you imagine it to have been. 

He so much resembled his brother, that at first sight I took 
it to be he. 

I cannot tell who has befriended me, unless it is him from 
whom I have received many benefits. 

RULE XVIII. 

When a direct address is made, the noun or pronoun is 
in the nominative case independent ; as, " O king, live 
forever ;" " O house of Israel ;" " Children, obey your pa- 
rents ;" " O thou man of God." 



233 i THE AMERICAN INSTRUCTED 

RULE XIX. 

Two or more nouns signifying the same thing, are put, by 
apposition, in the same case ; as,, " Paid the Apostle ; n 
" Solomon, the son of David> king of IsraeL" 

Exercises in false syntax. 

I gave my book to James, he who was here yesterday. 

The estate was left to Simon and John, the two eldest 
sons, they that had been to Europe. 

Art thou acquainted with Clarissa the milliner, she whom 
we met in our walks this morning. 

Augustus the Roman emperor ; him who succeeded Julius 
Cesar, is variously described. 

This house belongs to William, the carpenter, he who 
built it. 

The money was left to David and Daniel, the two young- 
est sons, they that had been to England. 

RULE XX. 

The infinitive mood, or part of a sentence, is sometimes 
put a^ the nominative case to the verb ; as, " To swear is 
wicked ; ?? " That any thing can exist, without existing in 
space, is to my mind incomprehensible." 

Exercises in false syntax. 

To do unto all men, as we would that they, in similar cir- 
cumstances, should do unto us^ constitute the great principle 
of virtue. 

From a fear of the workPs censure^ to be ashamed of the 
practice of precepts which the heart approves and embraces, 
mark a feeble and imperfect character. 

RULE XXI. 

A noun or pronoun, joined with a participle, independent 
of a verb, forms the nominative case absolute ; as, " The 
lecture being finished, the assembly withdrew ;" u Shame 
being lost, all virtue is lost." 

Exercises in false syntax. 

Him having ended his discourse, the assembly dispersed 
Them being willing to improve, the study was rendered 

agreeable. 

They were all more or less censurable, her only excepted, 

who was very circumspect in her conduct. 



CONTENTS. 



Section. Page. 

1. Observations on rash judgment. - - - - - - 15 

2. Monosyllables. - - - - . - > - - - -17 

3. The diligent Scholar. - 23 

4. Reflections on Sun-set. --------24 

5. Select Sentences. -- - 25 

' 6. Monosyllables continued. --------26 

7. Monition to Children. 30 

8. The Village Green. - - - - 32 

9. To a Child five years old. , - 33 

10. Monosyllables continued. --. 3.3 

11. On Reading. - - - - - 39 

12. Mankind are dependent on each other. - - - - - 41 

13. Address from a Teacher to his Pupils, on the usefulness ef 
learning. ----41 

14. Monosyllables continued. -.------ 44 

15. The danger of keeping Bad Company. - - - - - 4-8 

16. True Pleasure. ,'. - - - - 50 

17. Life is a flower. -51 

18. Monosyllables continued. -52 

19. Mortality: - 1 - 55 

20. Immortality. 56 

21. Health. - - 57 

22. Words of two syllables, accented on the first. - - - - 58 

23. Descriptio'n_of the Sloth. .62 

24. The Sluggard. - - - 64 

25. On Early Rising. --------- 64 

26. Words of two syllables, accented on the first 5 Continued. - 65 

27. An Address to Parents/ - - 69 

28. Rich and Poor. 70 

29. Select Sentences. - - 71 

30. Words of two syllables, accented on the first j Continued. - 73 

31. The Close of Life. - - 77 

32. The Funeral. , 79 

33. The Rose. ---_.- 80 

34. Words of two syllables, accented on the first; Continued. - 80 

35. An Address to Youth. ------- - 85 

36. A view of the Starry Heavens. 87 

37. Words of two syllables, accented on the first ; Continued. - 88 

38. Cleanliness. ----------93 

39. Honour. - 94 

40. Words of two syllables, accented on the first 3 Continued. - 96 

41. On bridling the tongue. - - 100 

42. An Indian king's advice to his Son. - - - - 102 

43. Words of two syllables, accented on the second. - - - 103 

44. The Pupil's address to his School Companions. - 108 

45. The fall of the Leaf. - 109 

46. The Cuckoo. 110 

47. Heavenly Wisdom. - - 110 

48. Words of two syllables, accented on the second 3 Continued. Ill 

49. Drunkenness. - - r - - - - - -117 



CONTENTS. 



59. 
60. 
61. 
62. 



Beciion. 

60. Ravages of Dissipation. 

51. Description of a Battle. 

52. Words of three syllables, accented on the first. \+' *> - 

53. Filial Affection and Intrepidity. Story of Volney Beckner, 

who was devoured by a Shark, at the age of twelve years. 

54. Divine Providence. - 

55. Words of three syllables, accented on the first ; Continued. 

56. Modesty. ----- 

57. The pleasures resulting from a proper use of our faculties. 
58 Words of three syllables, accented on the first ; Continued. 

Select Sentences. ----- 

Winter. — A Season for remembering the Poor. 
Friendship. ------ 

Words of three syllables, accented on the second. 

63. On the Animal World, and the Scale of Beings. 

64. On Profane Cursing and Swearing. - 

65. Words of three syllables accented on the second ; Continued 

66. On Procrastination. - 

67. Woman. - - - - - - 

68. Words of three syllables, accented on the third. 

69. Words of four syllables, accented on the first. 

70. Agriculture. - - 

71. Extract from a Poem, entitled, "Agriculture, or Happy 

American Farmer." - 

72. Words of Tour syllables, accented on the second. 

73. The Wisdom of Providence displayed in the Seasons. 

74. Advice to Youth on decent Behaviour. - 

75. Words of four syllables, accented on the third. 

76. Writing. - - - - - - - 

77. On saying too much. - - - A 

78. Words of five syllables, accented on the second. 

79. Words of five syllables, accented on the third. 

80. What is time ?-----. 

81. Youth. ------ - 

82. Night. - > - - - - . • . - 

83. Words of five syllables, accented on the fourth. 

84. Words of six, seven, and eight syllables. - r . - 

85. The Fourth of July. - - « . - 

86. Ode for the Fourtte of July. - . - 
An Abridgment of English Grammar. - - 
Of Articles. - - - - - ' . . 

Of Nouns. - - - - - - ' - 

Of Adjectives. . - - - 

Of Pronouns. - - 

Of Verbs. * - - - -_- 

Of Participles. - - - f - 

Of Adverbs. - - - ■- 4 \ - 

Of Prepositions. - - - .*'&*• 

Of Conjunctions and Interjections 
Exercises in false Grammar. . 7 * * 



*\3 



'Pagt. 
118 
119 
121 

126 
129 
131 
136 
137 
338 
143 
145 
146 
147 
151 
153 
154 
160 
162 
163 
165 
168 

170 
171 
178 
179 
182 
185 
186 
188 
190 
192 
193 
194 
195 
196 
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200 
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201 
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215 
233 



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